Monday, May 23, 2022
…that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 (NASB)
Knowing Him and Making Him Known
Have you discovered your purpose in life? Many spend countless hours and sleepless nights asking themselves questions like What it is that need to be doing? What is God’s will for my life? What value do I contribute to the world? We struggle when the seasons of our lives change – when we go from motherhood to an empty nest, or we retire, or lose a loved one. It is an identity crisis of sorts. But God created us all for just a couple of very specific reasons. These reasons are our purpose, our mission. And no matter what roles in our lives change, this mission for us never changes.
What two purposes could be more important and more unchanging in our lives than to know Him and make Him known? No matter what season, no matter what circumstances, no matter what age, place, or career, these two will never not be a part of what He wants for our lives.
First and foremost above everything else, God wants us to know Him. We search for fulfillment, and desperately pray and seek to fulfill our longings, all the while He calls us to something so much better – to fully know Him and love Him deeply. Only when we have this will we feel satisfied and whole in every season of our lives. Only when we have this can we go on to fulfill His purpose for us to make Him known. We must have this relationship and knowledge of God before we can share Him with the world.
We spend a lot of time avoiding what we are left here by God to do. If we are still on this earth, (after we knowHim) we have one purpose above all – to share the Gospel with others – to make Him known. We sometimes avoid sharing the Gospel because we are uncomfortable with it or we don’t know what to say. With technology today, that is no excuse. There are plenty of videos online and other training avaliable for anyone who wants to know how to share the good news. You don’t have to have a seminary degree or work in ministry. In fact relationship evangelism is the best way many times. Any person that crosses your path is a divine appointment by God and an opportunity to advance His kingdom. Nothing in our lives happens by chance.
These words in the verse above were part of a bigger passage where Paul was saying goodbye to the Elders of the Ephesian body of believers. He explains to them that he has been an example to them and lived this mission out in front of them. This is our mission too. It is partly a shared mission with the Body of Christ. Part of it is a responsibility you share with every other Christian, and part is an assignment that is unique to you. Our English word "mission" comes from the Latin word for "sending." Knowing Him includes being sent into the world as a representative of Jesus Christ. The mission Jesus had while on earth is now our mission as the Body of Christ. The church can become so involved in its local mission that it loses its eternal purpose. We can get very busy doing “things” for the church, feeling like we have done our part, when there are still lost souls that need to be led to Him. All the “things” we do might help, but they don’t save anyone.
We are made to do God’s work not FOR God but in HIS power and for HIS purpose. Satan is glad to let us do everything but that. When we start working to add believers to the number of the Body of Christ, He will start working to keep us from doing that. Therefore, it is so important that we do the right thing the right way. It all seems like good things that God would never have a problem with, but even when doing “good” things, it is so important to pray about what is truly God’s purpose?
Are you confused or wondering what you purpose is? God has your purpose and mission all planned out. Go to Him and ask Him to lead you in the most important thing you will ever do in your lifetime - know Him and make Him known.
In the same way that You gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.
John 17:18 (MSG)
