Focus on Telling your Story.

I love watching the Amazing Race reality show. Couples are pitted against each other in a race around the world. Many times, they are asked to go to a city, climb the highest building and look for a clue on the ground level. They are laser-focused in their observations once on top of the building. There are lots of distractions with traffic, a sea of humanity, other buildings but they focus on finding that flag.

Jesus is the same way with us. His focus is finding us and bringing us home. We belong to him. We are his. And that takes a selfless character…a person who is focused on others rather than self.

Martin Seligman, a well-known psychologist whose an expert on happiness has done research on the subject and found, “We think what will make us happy is focusing on ourselves…we actually become happier by focusing on other people.” I love it when science proves what Jesus has already taught us.

Jesus was a great story teller and in Luke 15, he tells three in a row to make a point. The three stories show Jesus sees you, saves you, and celebrates you. But in the first story, the shepherd (that’s Jesus) goes out to find the lost sheep. That’s focusing on someone else over your own needs and wants. He leaves the bulk of the group and goes out to find the one sheep that has wandered away. Once he finds that sheep, he lifts it up and brings it home. Then, he throws a party.

So what does this mean for us if we are called to imitate him. After all, we are his disciples and disciples want to look like their teacher. I believe it calls all of us to focus on the people in front of us and discover who has wandered and who needs Jesus in their life. Our call is to tell the story of Jesus and the story of how Jesus changed our lives forever.

As followers, we want to go and seek. Our desire is that others should also have the life that only Jesus can provide. So, who in your life do you know needs Jesus? Who do you know needs hope for a better tomorrow? Who do you know needs a companion that will walk with them until they come home to the shepherd?

Discover ways to share your story. Find ways to get connected to reveal Jesus’ story. Stories are powerful and it’s time to use our story for the glory of God. Blessings on the journey.

It's Go Time.

I know I’m giving it away but when my wife and I are at a party or gathering and I’m ready to go, I tug on my left ear lobe. Upon seeing me, she, then, knows I feel it’s time to go. Now, that doesn’t mean we are leaving because she may not be done socializing. But nonetheless, she knows I have had my fill.

Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 28 to “go”. “Go into all the world…making disciples”. He tells them to “go”. And in Acts 1 just before Jesus ascends into Heaven, he tells them again, that they will be his witnesses in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.” Jesus is telling us one of our mandates is to go and be a witness for the story of Jesus. Tell people and show people what Jesus has done for us. But the world is a huge place so where do we begin? We start by asking a series of questions.

Who lives with you? When Andrew finds Jesus and knows he’s the Messiah, Andrew goes to find his brother, Peter (John 1:40ff), who will later become foundational in the early church. We first go to the people we live with and call family. So, start where you are planted. We are called to tell our children about Jesus and teach them the Jesus’ way of life. We are called to journey with our spouse and daily tell the story. We have extended family members we love who need to hear from you how Jesus has changed your life. Ask, who lives with me?

Secondly, ask who lives near you? Those living near you include those in your cul-de-sac or on your street. But it also includes those with whom you attend church. We are called to make time for those with whom we do life. So get involved in a ministry like teaching kids about Jesus in a Sunday morning class or leading a small group in your youth group. Get involved on your praise team or in the sound booth. Be a real friend to your neighbors by helping out when they are down and out. Extend hospitality to those around you so they see Jesus in you.

Finally, ask who lives in you? Paul reminds us in Romans 8:11, “That the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit that lives in you!” You will not be “going” on your own. Jesus will always be with you. That’s what he said in Matthew 28:20. He tells us to go and he’ll be with us. So don’t be afraid. God’s got this. He’s with you.

So it’s time to shed the “personal space” mentality. It’s time to look around instead of down at our phone. It’s time to create a space of sharing and inclusion. It’s time to go and be a witness for the one who gave you everything…and made you the best version of yourself you could ever be. Blessings on the journey.

We are on Mission.

I spent several years abroad on the mission field. I was a kid but actively involved in enrolling people in Bible correspondence courses at the ripe old age of 7 while I was living in Cameroon, West Africa. I was also living on some islands called Vanuatu in the South Pacific when they gained their independence from Britain and France in 1980. I’ve lived in the culture of many countries on short-term mission trips to places like Croatia and Jamaica. Every single opportunity has been a blessing and a rich back story for my faith walk. But you don’t have to be living on foreign soil to be on mission.

Acts 1 describes Jesus final moments on earth before he ascends into heaven. Jesus literally tells us that we will be his witnesses throughout the earth in a city, in an area, in a larger geographical area and to the ends of the earth. So what can be learn about being on mission today in our culture and right where you live?

First, be present. We can dream and plan for tomorrow and we should but you have today right in front of you and God is going to be there, opening doors for you to witness to those around you. I firmly believe God gives us multiple opportunities every day to share Jesus with those around us. It’s then our job to look for those moments when you can BE Jesus.

Secondly, be prayerful. Acts 1:14 tells us the believers where constantly united in prayer. Pray that God will open your eyes to the needs of those around you. Pray that you’ll discover your talent and giftedness so that you can start serving in the Kingdom. Pray that God will send appointments to you to interact with on his behalf. Pray that you’ll be the best parent and spouse possible in this dark, negative world. Pray for the community of faith of which you are a part, that it might grow and be a light on the hill in your community.

Be perceptive. God is putting people in your life every day to interact with. The crossing guard your kids use to go to school. Your kid’s teachers. The cashier at the grocery store. Your next door neighbor who just had surgery. Your coworker who is having trouble in her marriage. In 2008, a song came out called “Give Me your Eyes” by Brandon Heath. Every word of it rings truth.

We want to the eyes of Jesus to see the world how he does. We want his ears to be ready to hear those in need. We need to have his hands and his feet to serve those in need. We want the mouth of Jesus to speak words of compassion and peace to those around us. We want the heart of Jesus for a world in pain and darkness.

As disciples of Jesus, our mission is never over. We are always looking for the opportunities to go into world and proclaim who Jesus is so the world can know they have a God who loves them. Blessings on your journey.