Fulfilling the Mission

Fulfilling the Mission

This morning it’s again raining outside, and while I thank God for the water that nourishes the plants and animals, we all know that too much rain can cause flooding and damage. Looking at the damage caused by too much water in our surrounding communities, in parts of our nation and around the world is sobering and heart-breaking. God promises in Genesis 9, “I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

I most certainly believe in God’s promises, yet there are people at this moment who are probably feeling like their lives have been destroyed and who are questioning why this is happening. I don’t know the answer to that, but what I do know is that all this water has opened doors to mission.

God inspires and equips people to work with the materials he provides to produce new and good creations and to contribute to order in the natural world.

The world God created is good, and when people begin to work alongside God in creation, things become “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Christians participate in the mission of God through every activity. When done in his name, every activity can reflect God’s creativity, sustain God’s creation, and cooperate with God’s redemption. As the Church, we are the body of Christ, dedicated to advancing the mission of God. Understanding God’s mission involves embracing a broader view of mission that involves participation in the creating, sustaining and redeeming work of God the Father, Son and Spirit.

I received a letter the other day from a person who made the comment that we (Gloria Dei) are a mission-minded congregation. It is a wonderful observation and I hope and pray that all of us understand the deeper value and meaning behind our work in this world.

God’s mission is not just about getting people more involved in what churches are doing but getting people more involved in what God is doing through His church. I pray that we all see the importance of gathering together for worship and study, and that we experience the importance of participating in God’s work in the world. When we live according to God’s word and move at the prompting of His Spirit, our lives and everything we do takes on deeper meaning.

If you’d like to know more about how you can help and get involved with the mission of Gloria Dei, talk with Pastor Dave or myself or one of our council members. Our youth take trips every summer to experience a broader mission, and the stories we hear are wonderful. Our adult mission team travels south every winter for a week to help rebuild the lives of people affected by storms. But we do not have to travel to participate in mission. Every single day our congregation is involved in God’s mission; working as a whole, in groups and as individuals, serving God and loving our neighbor in our community, our nation and worldwide.

What is God calling you to do? What gifts has He given to you that could be used in His mission? What are you excited about?

In Luke 10 Jesus asks, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” And the expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

In Jesus’ Name,
Pastor Scott

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