HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE

NUMBER 5: 

PEOPLE ARE MADE FOR A MISSION (final part, AMEN)

Do you think any one of the people you know would be encouraged to know that God created him or her for a specific mission here on Earth? It’s true! God’s fifth reason for creating us is for a mission.  Jesus is quoted in the Gospel of John as saying,

 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”  John 17:18 (NASB)

Every believer has two missions, one to fellow believers, the other to unbelievers. Actually it is more like a MINISTRY to believers, and a MISSION to unbelievers. It is not hard for us to do both, serving believers and helping unbelievers. The truth is most people are far more receptive to hearing the gospel from a friend than a stranger. That means our relationship with an unbeliever caries more value than our fame in this world. Put simply, “People don’t care how much you know.  They want to know how much you care.” This gives the average Christian an incredible opportunity for ministry and mission.

Each of us play a crucial role in helping the people around us to develop this sense of mission in their lives. One thing we can do is to help others see what mission God has planned for their lives. This doesn’t mean we have to be able to read tea leaves or someone’s palm, then declare to them the specific plan God has for their life.  Indeed not!  Rather, our role is to encourage and guide others around us.  God says this very activity (performing our ministry and mission) is one of the reasons why HE gives us the Bible.

God uses it [the Bible] to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:17 (NLT)

The hardest thing is for us to be living examples of what we say we believe.  What does it say to the world when we endorse one thing, but never use it.  For example, what are we saying to the world when we say, I believe in eating healthy as I’m chewing on a chocolate candy?  Get my point. Here is what the Apostle Paul had to say about this:

let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Philippians 3:16-17 (NASB)

We need to begin by asking God to grow each of us in all of these areas.  At the same time we should be building into the lives of the people around us, a strong sense of how God created each of them to experience a meaningful life. The great lie is that we have to be perfect, or really, really good to help others.  Again, NOT SO! Not all of us are called to be leaders, but we are all called to be followers of Jesus Christ.  Don’t be afraid to say to the people around you,  “Walk with me as I try to walk with God.”  You'll be amazed at what God will do!