Monday, October 2, 2023
A while back, I led a mission trip to a church in Choluteca, Honduras. CedarCreek teams had been there before, but it was my first trip to the Pacific side of Honduras. It was hot and humid 24/7.
On day one, we were tasked with moving playground equipment so that the church could expand its building to accommodate its rapid growth. Sounds easy, right? Except a previous team had cemented the legs of the equipment 3 feet into the ground, and the proposed location, 70 feet to the east, was covered with small rocks and broken glass. After hours of digging, the fourth leg of the jungle gym wouldn’t budge! We were hot, dirty and grumpy! Finally someone took a chainsaw and cut all four of the legs … which they could have done hours earlier as suggested by one of our team!
We were exhausted and fazed!
Why? We had forgotten why we were there—our purpose. Thankfully, we prayed, regrouped, and went on with our week, serving the church.
After that, every time we were asked to do something that made little sense to us, we would look at each other, laugh, and say, “Time to move the playground!” It was a simple reminder of our purpose for being there: to serve.
In the weekend message, we were reminded that knowing and obeying God’s purpose is one of the best ways to live “unfazed.” Clarity of our purpose increases our steadiness. It helps us sort out what really matters in a world that often makes little sense.
John 4:34
Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”
Jesus knew who he was. He knew what he was sent to do and that he was uniquely equipped by God to do it. This knowledge gave him the wisdom, strength, energy, and desire to finish his work.
This knowledge can help us, too! When we have clarity of our purpose, it increases our steadiness whether on a mission trip or in our daily mission to our family, jobs, or friends. When we use our gifts to serve others with a cheerful and willing spirit, we honor God. These verses become a great guide for unfazed living:
Ephesians 5:15-18
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,...
So smile, take a breath, and invite God to help you move the playground!
Questions:
What are the “playgrounds” that God wants you to move? Do you believe obeying God will draw you closer to him? Are you relying on his strength instead of your own? Do you trust his plan?
Next Steps:
The next time you feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit, try doing what he says without questioning. Christian author Oswald Chambers says, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.” Remember who God says you are.
Attend GrowthTrack to discover your gifting and your purpose, and live out the adventure of following Jesus!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I praise you for sending Jesus to save me from my sin and be my example of learning, knowing, and following the purpose you have for me. I know you, above all others, have my best interest in mind, so please help me to step out in faith to accomplish the purpose you have given to me. Thank you for giving all your children an assignment, specific to each of us, for such a time as this! Give me the strength and courage to step into that assignment with peace and joy. In the beautiful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
John 14:26
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
This post was written by Lauri White, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.