Mission Accepted

Two weeks ago we discussed the notion that each of us has a God-given assigment. He created a master plan and crafted each person that ever lived with qualities to carry out that agenda. What is the plan? Simple. The Bible is full of references to our ultimate mission: to glorify God in all that we do. Why? Once again, scripture gives us the answer. David writes in Psalms 63:3,"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." God has imparted His divine grace to His creation, and that is reason enough.

Think back to high school. When your teacher assigned a project, you ensured that you understood the parameters, the context in which the project needed to be completed, the due date, what resources were required, and who it could be completed with. Many of us would begin to work on the assignment using our resources in attempt to earn the highest possible grade. Why? Fear of your parents, pride, fear of failure, or desire to succeed in each undertaken endeavor.

If we agree that God has given each of us an assigment, why then do we not attack it with the vigor and enthusiasm that we would a school assigment. Better yet, a project for our career? We want to succeed at work so we can provide for our families. Should we not wake up with the intent of using our God-given talents to provide for our souls?

I contend that the primary reason lies in consequence. If we get fired from our job, we realize a very direct and immediate consequence---no paycheck. However, we often fail to associate consequences with God. We assume that if we sin God will hold us accountable. Shouldn't the same rationale hold true if we fail to exude His glory each day?

Feel free to comment.

First Meeting

I first want to thank each of you for attending our initial class. I hope you all are as excited as I am as to the possibilities this class has to offer each of us, our church, and the community. I believe strongly that adult education in church truly equips us to go out into society so that others can see Christ living and affecting change. Please feel free to offer any suggestions regarding the well-being and development of this class.

This past week, we introduced the material we will be studying first, Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado. He lays out 3 areas in which we must explore individually to live in our sweet spot. He begins with finding your uniqueness. We agreed with Lucado that we all have been entrusted with an assignment, much like Tom Cruise's character in Mission Impossible. Our mission is differs from person to person based upon our unique talents, gifts, and skills which were predetermined by God at our inception. The key is to use scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and what we know about ourselves to unpack what our unique qualities are.

Second, Lucado states that we must ensure that we benefit the glory of God with each of these gifts. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:7, " that to each one the manisfestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (NIV) We all have been given unique properties, we accept them, but how often do we consciously "make a big deal out of God" with those talents?

The third component of finding your sweet spot is exercising the first two every day of your life. Lucado writes that in whatever work we engage, God is present. He commands us to work, and thus, we should find Him in it. If our endeavors fail to inspire us, bore us, overly consume us, then maybe we haven't found our sweet spot.

Has anyone had their eyes opened this week? Reading this book and related scriptures revealed something very close to my heart the last couple of months. More on this later....