Beautiful Mission in the Midst of Battle

Dear Sister,
      Have you ever tried to do your best and hoped that it would be appreciated only to find that you make people uncomfortable.  Or maybe you aren't making someone uncomfortable, but you are just not getting the results or feedback that you think your effort should be eliciting? Take heart, Jesus had it happen to him too.
      In Mark 3: 1-6 we find a simple story of Jesus being presented with the opportunity to do good. This issue gets convoluted in that this opportunity presents itself on the Sabbeth. He was in the synagogue and there were religious men watching him. They knew the Law of God and how you are not to work on the Sabbeth. They wanted to see if Jesus would obey the law. In true Jesus fashion he chose love over law, and he healed a man who had a withered hand. This made the religious men stand against Jesus and have the desire to destroy him.
     Jesus didn’t stop doing his mission because others didn’t like what he was doing. Just because they didn’t understand who he was or what he was on earth to do didn’t stop Jesus from caring for and ministering to others. He had opposition in his ministry and so will you and me.
     Do you know your mission dear sister in Christ? I finally know mine. It has taken me a very long time to understand that the mission that Christ has called me to isn’t tied to a position. My mission is to love, care for and encourage others. I have seen this theme in my whole life.  In times past I believed that God called me to do this as a formal job that came with a title and a paycheck.  In the recent months, God has given me a clear vision to see that my mission is to be lived out in the entirety of my life. Another thing that he is showing me is that the fuel I get to live in this way doesn’t come from education, title, or another person. My “go-go juice” only comes from him. I have to admit that it is hard for me to focus on getting what I need solely from Him. Of course, he can use other things and people, but when it comes down to brass tacks my ability to love and care comes from the source of love, God Himself.  
     What is your mission.  What do you feel God calling you to do? What is the focus behind all the you do? Are you called to protect, called to challenge others in the truth, called to help others see the truth?  These are only a few ideas.  Often your calling is tied into your personality and your spiritual gifts. 
      I have to continually remind myself about is that when I'm living my mission, I will have trouble.  There will be blessings in living in the way that God has created and called you, but it won't be all roses and wonderfulness.  Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  This is where the armor of God comes in and you can crack open your bible and read the rest of this verse Ephesians 6:13-17.  We need to stand firm in truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God.  This is a tall order that we are not supposed to do on our own, only by the power of Christ.
     I will be honest and say to you that it is easy in some areas of my life and more difficult in others. I am also continually challenged to stay close to God in his word.... more about that in my next letter.
Stumbling, Walking, and Running in Christ,  
Deanne