Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was. Looking at His answer is a good way to prepare yourself to go on mission.
You probably are familiar with what He said.
Mark
12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The
second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
Here's how you can use these verses as a guide to prepare yourself for missions.
Preparing to go on mission
Love
the Lord your God with all your heart.
This
is the best motivation for going on mission. Where are your passions? Before
you go, examine your heart. Have you taken back parts of your heart?
Spend
time in the Word every day so your heart is in tune with His heart.
Love
the Lord your God with all your soul
If you’ll think of your soul as your spirit then you’ll find
many verses that tell how to live out your life. Practice – work at – living a
life led by the Spirit as you prepare to go in the Spirit on mission.
Let God’s Holy Spirit bear fruit in your life: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,self-control.
Love the Lord your God with all your mind.
Know how to share your faith – the basic Gospel message.
Know why you are there. Are you doing a sports camp? A backyard
Bible club? Prayer walking? Different mission projects require you to know
different things. Are you ready?
Learn some basic phrases in the heart language of the people you
will be working with. Eu estudo Português!
Love the Lord your God with all your strength
Get in shape physically. Many mission areas require a lot of
walking. Will you be able to keep up? Begin adding more walking time to your
days a few months before you go.
How is your overall health? Do you have medications that you
need to refill so you don’t run out while away from home? Some mission
opportunities will require vaccinations. Ask your doctor if there are things
you need to do before you go. Now that we’re on the subject, you probably need
to be eating better all of the time. J
Love your neighbor as yourself
How can you love anyone more than by introducing them to Jesus?
Here's the surprise ending!
Being on mission isn't a place where you go. It is a lifestyle. Your mission field is anywhere you are! You don't have to wait until your church's next trip to _________. You are on mission today!
