Bible Passage

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. … And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

2 Timothy 1:6–9; 11–12

Character Check

Do I have a clear sense of what my mission is here on earth?

Devotion

I've been associated with a number of companies, and I've noticed that the most successful organizations, in terms of profits, impact on intended market, and team spirit among the employees, always had a clear sense of mission and purpose. In several cases the company mission statement hung in the reception area and on the wall of every department. They knew what they were—and weren't—about.

The less successful businesses seemed unclear on their purpose, beyond "sell more of product X." Staff was fuzzy about the senior management's vision; morale was low. They really didn't know what they were about.

The same holds true for individuals.

I've found it helpful to develop a statement of mission: What has God put me here for? What am I called and gifted to do? What can I uniquely offer?

So many good things compete for our time and attention that it's easy to scatter our efforts. A personal mission statement—or at least a thought-through, prayed-over, reality-tested sense of our unique purpose—helps us to focus our efforts, maximize our energies, and create in us a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ.

– Elizabeth Cody Newenhuyse

Something to Think About

"The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it."
– William James

Go Deeper

Becoming a Missional Church

Is your church looking to get back to the root of what it means to be a church, to be in the world, doing God's work? If so, this guide will help you understand exactly what being a missional church looks like, how to make it happen, and how to make it work.