Your Mission Should You Choose to Accept It

I always enjoyed the Mission: Impossible TV shows back in the 60s to 80s, and then the movies that took the show to a whole new level with Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. The most familiar quotes were “Your mission, should you choose to accept it....” and “As always, should you or any of your I.M. Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in ten seconds. Good luck.” How’s that for dare-devil adventures with the potential of failures that could lead to death?

And something similar to that statement was asked of Jesus – only much, much greater if He chose to accept His mission, He would have to leave heaven for earth as a baby born to a virgin, to grow to manhood, perform all His ministry, duties and responsibilities as the Son of God – miracle after miracle, transforming lives, teaching love and showing love – even to the point of sacrificing His life for you and me. The most mind boggling component about His mission was that He was never guilty of any sin, yet was willing to accept His cross. He ONLY chose the “YES” – which he KNEW would result in death.

We, too, have been invited to accept or reject the mission God has called us to. He is waiting for our “yes”. As Jesus did, giving Himself wholeheartedly to God in service, undaunted and unwavering in faith, and living out God’s character of love, kindness, meekness, gentleness, wisdom, understanding, determination – so do we. And, as He was special to His Father, so are we. We may ask “Who ME? I’m not qualified for a mission of such monumental importance – especially if it’s going to require that I step out of my comfort zone.” All He asks for is our YES, because He doesn’t call the “qualified”’ He qualifies the “called”. He is looking for those who don’t hold back their talents and abilities. When we say “yes” as the young peasant girl, Mary, did, when she was given her mission – to be the virgin who bears the Son of God, and raises Him, her mission became Mission POSSIBLE and so it will be for us. Ours, too, will be Mission POSSIBLE.

Speaking of Mission: Possible and our acceptance of our God-given mission, I want to share my daughter with you – who was my mission for many years. I completed my mission. Well, sort of. I raised her to be a mighty and strong woman of God. I know my mission is to continue to pray for her and her family, but now, she, as a notably gifted teacher, life coach, author, recording artist, entrepreneur and speaker, has her own mission to fulfill. Staci Wallace, my daughter, accepted her mission to write a book entitled “Mission: Possible” and on November 1st released her "Mission: Possible" online study course. The "Mission: Possible" online study is an in-depth life mastery course designed to help you dig deep into your behaviors, faith, emotions and daily habits to see what it is that has been holding you back from knowing and UNLEASHING your fullest potential – to know your God-given MISSION. The study will help you discover your own life in scripture and enable you to see that every part of your design, your personality, your history, your failures, your successes, and your desires -- all have a purpose in positioning you to be a world changer and history maker to the world around you. Nothing about you is an accident. God has been molding you, protecting you and preparing you FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. TODAY!
For more info about the Mission Possible training series, go to: http://www.staciwallace.com/mission-Possible

I pray that we all discover our MISSION that is possible because we serve God – Who With NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE!

An Angel on Assignment

Day 358 of Photo Inspirations -- An Angel on Assignment

We hear a lot about angels at this time of the year -- the angel Gabriel's announcement to old Zechariah announcing that he and his old, barren wife, Elizabeth, were going to have a baby, then Gabriel appears to the virgin Mary and Joseph to announce the coming birth of Jesus, and then at the birth of Christ, angels appeared to the shepherds who were guarding their flock. So with that special awareness of angels at this time of year, to hear this sweet story a couple of nights ago, just compounded my belief that angels are really, for real and they are on assignment, even today, and at times when we least expect them.

At a dinner party on Monday night, precious Whitney Jones shared a story she had held in for fifteen years -- at least to the Wallace Family. She shared...."When I was 11 years old, I was taking care of Payton who was only about one year old. I was feeding him goldfish crackers, when all of a sudden he started choking. I patted him on his back, raised his hands in the air, but nothing seemed to help. He started turning blue. I was crying and so afraid, when all of a sudden someone burst into the room and stuck their finger into his throat and pulled out the cracker. Payton quickly recovered and was just fine. Later, I cried and cried as I told my Mom the story." Whitney went on to share how sorry she had held that story in so long, but as she sees Payton serving God and is such an amazing servant that she knows God's hands are on him. (Payton plays the piano and drums and is part of the stage crew at church. In fact, he'd live at the church if he could. He loves serving God that much.)

Indeed, an angel showed up that night for Whitney and Payton. In reality, did the angel show up for Payton's benefit, or for helping Whitney know, at that young age, that she's not alone and that she was just beginning to see God's hand of blessing on her life, and that, she too, was going to be used mightily by God? Whitney is a gifted vocalist. I heard her sing "Mary Did You Know?" in the church's Christmas program this week. There is no question that she sings from a heart that's being touched by God.

This is Whitney, her precious little one year old daughter, and Payton in my photo inspiration today. God's timing was perfect for her to share this story with us -- not only as a testimony to God's faithfulness then, but, like Mary, to know the significance of angels in her life. What a great Mom she'll be as she raises her little girl to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52. Whitney learned from her experiences, just like all of us do. And those experiences are "those things that work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes". Romans 8:28.

How many times have we encountered angels and we didn't realize it? How many times have they protected us from accidents and harm? How many times did they warn us or make an announcement to us?

The angel speaking to the shepherds said, "FEAR NOT, for I bring you the GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY." (Luke 2:10). And, I believe the angels are declaring those words to you and I today. It is possible to have peace and joy, like the shepherds had, right in the middle of the darkest night.

What is bringing you fear today? Christmas isn't a happy time for everyone. Many people are facing debilitating illness, financial stress, or may be facing this Christmas alone for the first time. Listen once again to the angel's words...."Do not be afraid -- I bring you good news of great joy!" It is the same good news of great joy that the angels declared over 2000 years ago. Picture the God of the universe handing you his Son, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Hear Him say, "Don't be afraid of anything….ever. I give you peace. I give you comfort. I give you hope. I give you GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY! I give you JESUS."