40 Day Walk With God — May 14, 2014

Day 24–
MISSIONAL EXCELLENCE

1 John 3:16-18
This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. But if a person has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need and that person doesn’t care—how can the love of God remain in him? Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth.

What is the difference between “doing mission” and “being missional”?

“Doing mission” is something that we schedule on our calendar such as a mission trip. “Being missional” expects a deeper commitment. Don’t misunderstand the point here, doing mission is not a bad thing, but if we’re striving for “Missional Excellence,” we have to set the bar much higher.

This commitment pushes us from seeing mission as something we do, to mission becoming who we are. Being missional calls us to love others as Christ loves. It calls us to see our neighbors as ourselves. Being missional places us face-to-face with opportunities to bring Christ to a hurting world. Being missional opens our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to those in need. Being missional pushes us to seek a life in which no one is without the other. Being missional compels us to constantly ask the questions:

Who’s missing?
Who’s hurting?
Who does not know the extent of God’s love?

May we live in such a way that the love we’re receiving from Jesus Christ is poured out upon those we encounter each day. When we do this, we will experience Missional Excellence.

Prayer:
Lord, move us from looking for something “good” to do for your kingdom, to “being” someone who makes an eternal difference in the lives of others. Stretch us to seek out those dark and gloomy places in the world where we can bring the Light of Christ’s love. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

Brad Fiscus,
Director of Young People’s Ministry, Tennessee Conference