The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace. Acts 20:24b NCV
Are you busy? I certainly am. Busy enough that to maintain order in my life demands annual, monthly, weekly, and daily to-do lists. There are so many ways to spend my time, I get forgetful and frustrated if I don’t get them listed and prioritized.
But busyness itself is a flawed and poor use of life without true direction. If I’m not careful, I can waste away precious time doing nothing satisfying or helpful – just time and energy consuming. I have to do more than simply make long lists.
If I recognize with the apostle Paul that “the most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me,” I must get my priorities in order. First, I make sure I understand the mission and make it a priority in my daily life. The mission is “to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”
Then there are the lists. Two of them. The first and most important list is the TO-BE LIST. While doing is critical, the foundation for effective doing is being. A person must first BE Good News in order to be a reliable witness of Good News. An honest evaluation of who you are and how well the way you live and engage with others, the level of compassion you have, the depths of wells of mercy and grace in you – these give accurate readings on the quality of your natural witness to the world. The fruit of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22 NASB), will help us work with God to bring our lives into true Good News status, and make connecting people to God the most natural thing we do. As I pray, God is unfailingly faithful to show me how I can be good news more powerfully in the lives of people I love without even saying a word.
When my To-Be list is operating successfully, I will become aware of tangible words and actions I now can take to tell people the Good News about God’s grace. I will be able to develop a very effective TO-DO LIST. There will be specific people to target for my best efforts. The always updating list will include invitations to events, friendships to develop, notes to write, appointments to make. I will share coffee with some, drop in for an encouraging visit with someone else, make an uplifting phone call – the opportunities will flow into my life, and I will prioritize the people God puts in my path. I will intentionally build relationships for sharing the Good News, and God will bring spontaneous openings into my life as I work with Him to develop the vision and courage to act.
- Anyone who is truly on mission wakes up with that priority and vision in mind. They are ready to be and do. Talk with the Jesus about how you will join Him.