Our Mission is Possible Wherever We Are

When you hear “mission”, maybe you think about Tom Cruise and his exploits in the Mission Impossible spy film series. Or, when you hear “mission”, you may think about missionaries in a third world country, dedicated to bringing lost souls to Christ. The truth is we are all called to a mission – right here or over there. God doesn’t value a far-off there more than an ordinary right here. Every there for us is someone else’s here.

Yes, some are called to go but most are called to stay and this is no lesser of a story to be living. If God is everywhere, and He tells us that He is, then He loves all the earth and we can serve Him in any corner of it -- including the one at the end of our own street. We are all missionaries because none of us are “home.” We are all in a foreign place, in a culture where we are not true citizens but wanderers. "Our citizenship is in heaven." (Philippians 3:20)

The good news is we can honor God in what is familiar to us. We can seek Him in the everyday sameness of our lives. We don't have to go anywhere but TO HIM in order for us to be useful in His Kingdom. For those called to step on a plane or boat, you go with the blessing of God. For those called to stay in a kitchen or a check-out line at a store or a conference room or a a desk in a class, you stay right where you are -- with the blessing of God.

“Missionary” simply means someone who has or is on a mission. If that’s the case, then we all bear that name. I’m by no means taking away the special care and honor that should be given to those for whom it is also an occupation. I’m just saying “Let’s not diminish the privilege we all have of being part of a great mission, too." You have been sent. I have been sent. We were sent the second the first spark of life flickered in our mother’s womb. To this earth. And now to wherever we are today.

Let’s not believe that there is a more “spiritual” location to be. Let’s never let our hearts be convinced God is not as fully here as He is on some distant continent. Instead let’s take off our shoes and declare that right here where we stand is holy ground, too. Because God is here -- in this moment. Perhaps even more miraculous, He is in us. God Himself is Who He wants us to bring wherever we are, wherever we go.

Do you want to know where God is asking you to serve and bless right now? You only need to look down at the one-foot square of humble, sacred earth beneath your feet. The only place on this spinning globe where both you and God are present in this moment. That's where we can always make a difference.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

Even in Messy, Whiny Days – God is Right Here

I’m here at my office desk typing this blog. My morning ritual is in progress. Wake up (thank God, I woke up), head to my office, look over my blog written yesterday with a fresh perspective, make necessary changes and publish on Facebook, Instagram, and my two blog sites. I look at my desk cluttered with papers, coupons, bills to pay, mail I haven’t opened and garage sale supplies (yes, I’m having a garage sale with my community this weekend – what a work-out that is). Please, God, don’t judge me on messiness or whininess today!

I have a lot on my plate today – some God things, but mostly Me things. I hear a voice in my head telling me what I do doesn’t really matter. It’s small stuff compared to others who are juggling way more than I am. And, not having all the responsibility that comes with raising a family, I still feel a bit overwhelmed today with “to-do’s”, meetings to determine if I should take that new ministry position, this garage sale, my volunteer job, and other commitments. But, does it all matter anyway?

It’s likely the opposing team, the enemy of my heart, that is causing this inner turmoil AND this whininess. He tries to make me feel insignificant and under-qualified. He plays a number on me. I recall a couple of days ago when my granddaughter had to let her brother use her car. She said: “I sure miss my car!” I replied “I sure miss Papa!” It put things in perspective for her and reality to me. I really do miss him when I could use his arm around my shoulder, snuggle me close into him, cheer me on and remind me “I’m here for you!”

A bad movie is playing in my mind: “You should throw in the towel and coast. You’ve earned the rest. You should sit back and let God use others. What you do doesn't really matter anyway. You should stop right now". Then into this space of doubt and anxiety, I hear God’s voice telling me I’m not alone in this “life” thing. He’s right here with me, always, still saying, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). And this too: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

If we are showing up to serve our Maker, if we are seeking to follow Him, and there is someone or some-thing trying to push us away, then we can be sure it is not God. He is not saying we are disqualified. He’s not hollering “shape up or ship out.” His instruction isn’t, “Come back when you’ve got it together.” Instead His invitation is, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

As I take hold of this truth today, my shoulders relax, my breath slows. I settle into my comfy office chair that has become a place of simple, enlightening, beautiful grace. I start typing this blog again – perhaps the words are more for me than you. I push the POST button and trust that there is someone besides me who needs an encouraging word that helps them know, they are not alone either. That whatever happens in this day and whatever we say and do, we will still have God by our side and on our side at the end of the day, telling us "You are enough!"

Ya' Just Can't Outgive God!

Day 2 of our Garage Sale meant "Discount City"! LOL! Karen and I always loved the final day of our A-1 Estate Sale business. It meant 50%-75% off and lots of freebies, along with MANY satisfied and happy customers! Our last Garage Sale day was no exception.

A couple was just walking their dog out in the street and I beckoned them to the sale. First they nodded "No", but the man couldn't resist my pleading, as well as my oohing and aahing over their dog which I remarked "His little face looks like a dachshund", and the man's reply was "He IS a dachshund -- a long haired dachshund!" Who knew? He came to look and sure enough he saw this scale and said, "OH, my mom hates her digital scale. She'll like this one so much more (it was the old style). I snapped this photo as they were leaving. I couldn't resist because I could just imagine folks saying "Look at that guy. They're going for a walk with their dog AND their scale. He probably walks a block, then puts the scale down and weighs to see if he lost any weight yet!" LOL!

Another couple came by and saw all the reading glasses we had for sale. My sweetheart and I had many. When we first needed help with our reading, we'd buy a pair, use them a while and misplace them, so we'd buy another pair, and then we'd need to up the strength of the glasses and buy more pairs, and before long, we had loads of reading glasses. Who knew that years later a couple would stop by our garage sale who donates reading glasses to their Brazil missions for those with reading/seeing needs. What a blessing to be able to give them to this couple. Freebies!

Another lady saw Karen's decorative plate sets for sale and when Karen heard her say "Oh I remember my mom's collection of plates. I'd love to do that, too." Of course, Karen gave her the best ever deal for them all.

There was plenty at the end of the sale for a family in need to decorate their home with lots of household and decorative items remaining. What a blessing for them AND us!

Oftentimes, the things we do with intentional purposes end up with a greater purpose. That's what we've witnessed many times over the years. The greatest part....we can never outgive God. Somehow God always "one ups" us. One beautiful Native American woman came to the sale and as she heard our "God bless yous" and our overall enthusiasm and joy, she commented, "There's something about this place. God is here. I feel it." Best. Gift. EVER. We just think we're giving out of the love we have for others. Then, along comes God and shakes us up with a warm embrace that says...."I am loving through you. You are being my hands extended. You are my ambassadors......even at a Garage Sale that you thought was YOUR idea to get rid of stuff. Nope. It was MY idea to bless people through you." How's that for "giving and it shall be given"? How's that for helping to make God even more famous through our little efforts?