You Have a Mission
As little children we believe we are designed for a unique mission. Why else would you strap on a cape and jump off your parents’ roof? What else would make you believe you can save every kitten in the neighborhood by setting up a cardboard booth on the street corner and find new feline owners? When we are small, we believe we can accomplish something great because it’s innate.
God made us for a mission.
This really shouldn’t be a surprise because we have in us the breath of the God who made the moon, the stars, Betelgeuse, and kittens—and like Him we have the desire to create and accomplish.
God created you to complete a mission for Him. He made you to do something for Him.
Maybe you are thinking, That sounds great, Mike, but I don’t think God has a personal mission for me. Maybe you have heard people say that they are “called” to a particular mission and you have wondered, What am I “called” to do?
Let’s take a look at one of God’s smallest creatures for an inspiring reminder that we have all been made for mission.
Every day outside the entrance of my office building, a flurry of bees bop from one colorful flower to another to forage for nectar. According to blogger Tony Fuentes, “When a bee visits a flower…some of the flower’s pollen rubs off on the bee’s…fuzzy, little belly. The bee then moves on to another flower and some of the pollen on his belly is transferred to that flower. Without this simple act of pollination, plants wouldn’t give birth to seeds or fruit. Crops would fail and farmers would go bankrupt.”
It’s incredible that God has given even the little bee a job to do. Tony adds the amazing fact that approximately every three mouthfuls of food we enjoy is the direct result of pollination done by our “fuzzy, black and yellow, jumpsuit-wearing friends.”
Let me ask you: Doesn’t it make logical sense that because God has a job for the tiny bee that He has a mission for you, the crown of His creation?
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Prepared in advance. Before God spoke the Milky Way into existence, before Betelgeuse, before the earth was placed on its axis, God planned you and He prepared you to do good works which support His Master Plan.
Friend, before the foundation of the world, you were designed by Him and for Him. You have a mission.
Thanks, Mike, for all you do to inspire others to pursue their mission – I know you have inspired me! Great reminder not to despise the day of small beginnings, too.
Thanks Jewell. It is so encouraging to see you on a mission to change the lives of thousands of kids for Christ. What an eternal legacy that will be!
MIke – thanks for the inspiring devotional (as usual). Listened to a wonderful sermon from the Director of Discipleship at Willow Creek this morning on a related topic that you might enjoy. Shane talked about the process of surrender that he went through (and still goes through) in order to understand his God-given mission. An essential and difficult part of this process required him surrending his will to God so that God could then transform his heart to desire the mission that God created him for rather than the mission that his prideful self desired. It’s part of the Wiser Together series – you might enjoy. Appreciate you!
Tim, thanks for the recommendation on the Willow Creek series. Sounds like a good one. I will go to their website and listen to it. Hope you had a great Holiday. See you soon, Mike
I love the bee story. I am an encourager in life and prayer warrior but it has taken me many years to learn this. I still do not have a “job” that I go to daily and get paid for that I feel is working in the kingdom. With this being said, I am learning many things during this time of searching for “my mission” in life……As I read it what came to my mind was that maybe some peoples’ missions are like the bees in such a way that we go from thing to thing, person to person, loving and fellowshipping with others, encouraging people, sharing the Lord, each others pain and successes and just as the bee, when we go from person to person, place to place, sharing we are planting seeds for the Lord’s kingdom to grow….pollinaiting the Lord’s kingdom if you will
Dear Mike….
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What an amazing example of Gods love for us. Even though I don’t know what my ” mission ” is, after reading this, I’m sure I must have one. Maybe I missed it or just don’t understand. It’s getting a little late in my life to recognize ” the gift ” God entrusted in me to give….but I’ll continue to listen for His still small voice. Thanks again for your moving story. May God send you His very best.
P.S. And by, a little late in life…. I mean that I’m ” 63 ” !