UNITY IN MISSION
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
Years back, I played paintball with some guys, and one was a Green Beret. I confess that most of the people on my team had no plan other than to take others and not get shot. I was struck by the guy who was a Green Beret. He was different; he asked us what our plan was, to which a long silence filled the air. Then, after no answer, he took charge. He told us the mission and gave each of us clear assignments. Some were to guard the flag, others to linger by the base, some to scout the opposing enemy, and others to capture the flag. Before he spoke, we were a bunch of individuals out to accomplish our different tasks, but he gave us unity in our mission. He gave us a clear assignment; everyone knew their part to play. Although I couldn’t see my entire team, I knew what they were doing, and the sense of collaboration gave me a deep understanding of unity.
Jesus does the same in Matthew 28. He takes the disciples who were all running their individual plays, and He brings us in and gives us a clear unity through mission. He helps us see what we are to be doing. Our mission is to take the love of Jesus deep into enemy territory and, through the Gospel, push back the forces of darkness, invite others into the story of Jesus and allow them to experience the love and unity of His kingdom. I find great joy sometimes on Sunday when I look out at Brookwood and think of the unity in our mission. We each take the hope of Jesus back into our homes, neighborhoods and workplaces. We all have our assignments. You can’t do my assignment, and I can’t do yours, but together, we have a deep sense of unity and togetherness that our mission is bigger than one person. Instead of trying to change the world, start by changing the world of one person around you. I couldn’t be at the base, be a scout, and capture the flag. I had one assignment. God has placed you where you are supposed to be. Don’t try to be everywhere at once. Just be faithful to be a light where He has placed you. God saw fit to put you exactly where you are because you are a part of His plan in Matthew 28 to redeem the world. We all are unified in this mission. We all have a part to play.
APPLICATION:
Be faithful where God has placed you TODAY!
PRAYER:
Ask God to bring someone to mind to whom you can bring encouragement and love today. Pray for someone who doesn’t know Jesus and invite them to church!
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?