A new year has arrived, and many of us are considering or establishing new habits as part of our new year’s resolutions. The new year often inspires us to refocus our efforts in particular areas of our life. There are many parts of our life that are important such as family, health, and our profession. For Christians, we are called to grow in our relationship with Christ. There are several ways to learn more about God, but few are better than serving Him and taking an active role in God’s mission on earth.
At King’s Chapel, our mission statement captures the essence of our purpose here on Earth. It reads:
We exist to glorify God by living on mission with Him in making disciples through gospel-centered worship, transformation, and community.
First, we exist to glorify God. Second, we do so by living on mission with Him. That mission is to make disciples by sharing the gospel and serving the spiritual needs of our community. And it begins as Mark reminds us in his Gospel by surrendering to Christ. “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it'” (Mark 8:34-35).
Mark makes it very clear that spiritual maturity requires humility and effort. We must take up our cross (that is, die to self) and follow Him. Jesus’ ministry on earth was to seek and serve others. As we serve others, we learn more about them and ourselves. But most importantly we learn how to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Being on mission in Christ’s kingdom will certainly open our hearts and minds to His character. This mission work on earth can be both arduous and even dangerous. God knows this and has provided us with the tools and protection that we need. No soldier goes into battle without weapons, gear, and armor. The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6 that we can have the ‘whole armor of God’, as we serve in His Kingdom together.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:13-18).
In verse 18, Paul challenges us to “pray at all times”. If you’re looking for a starting point, prayer is it. Praying, serving Christ, and studying Scripture helps us to know God and his will better. In 2019, we should all look for opportunities to serve Jesus with our time and talents. We should also determine to equip ourselves with God-given armor and spiritual tools. Our service to Christ is amplified when we properly maintain and develop the gifts that God has graciously given to us.