Made for More | Sharing God’s Mission

There’s a very moving scene at the end of ‘Schindler’s List’. Oskar Schindler was a wealthy Nazi industrialist who ended up saving the lives of more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust. As Oskar is saying goodbye to the Jews he’d rescued, Spielberg depicts him breaking down with the realisation of how much more he could've done. It’s a moment of profound clarity where he recognises the significance of each life he’s saved. But he’s heartbroken, because he knows that he could’ve done more if he’d grasped what really mattered, earlier. He didn’t fully understand his purpose until it was too late.

It’s a sobering picture, because none of us wants to waste our lives in the pursuit of worthless things. We all want to do something that matters, to make a real difference. We want to spend our lives, our time, our resources on the things that are worth it. But where do we find that clarity, that insight into what we’re really here for? We don’t want to miss it in the busyness of life.

Compelled By Love

If you are a disciple of Jesus, you have been saved from every selfish pursuit that is empty and harmful. You’ve been rescued from any preoccupation with worldly things. In fact, your life has been redeemed - repurposed with eternal significance and meaning. You have been given a new assignment in the Kingdom; you are God’s agent pursuing His rescue mission in your world. It’s not a privilege reserved for the few, for missionaries and church staff. You are God’s answer for those around you. Your friendships, your colleagues, your family, your neighbours, they are your own custom-built mission field. God has put you in their world for a purpose.

The way Paul explains it in 2 Corinthians 5 is really helpful. He describes our responsibility in two ways. Firstly he talks about the ‘ministry of reconciliation’ that every Christian has been given. We know that Jesus came to earth to offer friendship to every person who wanted a relationship with God. He came to offer forgiveness and a second chance, so we could be reconciled to God. And now Jesus has passed that baton on to us. We’ve been given a simple message to share. “God cared enough to die for me and change my life, and He loves you, too.” That’s the ministry of reconciliation, making sure others hear the good news about Jesus.

We’re also called ‘Christ’s Ambassadors’. Ambassadors have a pretty straightforward job, they simply carry their home culture with them. They represent the priorities and values of their country by the way they relate and communicate. Ambassadors live in a world they don’t belong to, and so their presence becomes a glimpse of another reality. That’s why Paul calls us ambassadors. We do life around people who don’t know God yet. When we care about the things God cares about, they get a glimpse of who God is and how much He loves them.

Partnering With God

When Jesus told the disciples that he was about to leave this earth, they freaked out because they didn’t feel ready for the responsibility of continuing his mission. Like them, it’s easy to feel unqualified for the job. We don’t know ‘the way’ to connect people with God; we don’t have the training, the gifts or the experience. We’re not ready to take on the responsibility of saving the world. Surely God’s plan involves people who've got it more together than me; someone who’s life is more sorted; someone with a more powerful testimony; someone with more faith. If you’ve ever felt like that, you’re not alone.

But it’s just the way God does things - He uses imperfect people. Our insecurities don't limit God, our failings don’t ruin His plans, our inexperience doesn’t disqualify us from our calling. And the way Jesus responded to how the disciples were feeling is still relevant today. He reminds us to embrace the adventure and go beyond our comfort zone (because we’ll do greater things than him)... to pray lots (because God wants to be invited into every situation)... and to rely on His presence (because we’ve been given a helper, the Holy Spirit). We’re not alone in this mission we’ve been given, God is with us every step of the way.

You were made for more. To live in a way that points others to the generosity and kindness of God; to offer the gift of reconciliation to a world that doesn’t know how to find Him; to speak life and hope into thirsty souls. People matter most to God, and He wants to use you to introduce them to Jesus. In fact, you are Plan A. If you have the courage to be available, God will use you. There’s no greater purpose than this.

Reflection Questions

1. Who are the people in my world that God is drawing towards Himself?
2. What are the things that tend to distract me from focusing on God’s mission?
3. How can I be more faithful as I represent God in my world?