What does it mean to be sent?  It usually connotes the participation in a mission that we’ve been assigned.  When you’re on a mission you’re laser focused and you have a single-minded purpose.  Jesus prayed that His disciples would continue the mission that He came to fulfill.

As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”   (John 17:18)

Jesus came with a mission from His heavenly Father and He consistently kept God’s purpose before Him.   Early in His ministry He healed many and cast out demons and people were looking to Him to meet their needs, but Jesus was following the assignment His Father had given to Him,

He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”  (Mark 1:38)

Even when He knew that He would face adversity, Jesus kept His eyes on goal and did not waver from His mission,

From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.  (Matthew 16:21)

What is God’s mission for your life?  The first step is hearing from God.  Jesus invested time with God and had clarity about God’s assignment for His life.  Too many people are climbing the ladder of success only to discover that it’s leaning against the wrong wall.   Life is too short to be spending your time doing that which does not last for eternity.  When you get to the end of your life what  will be your legacy?  Jesus reminded His disciples,

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?”  (Mark 8:36)

You must realize that when you’re on mission for God that you will encounter opposition.   The Apostle Paul warned young Timothy,

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  (2 Timothy 3:12)

If you’re not clear about God’s mission for your life then you may give up when circumstances become difficult.  How do you respond to the challenges in your life?  Perseverance is a common theme in the New Testament,

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  (Galatians 6:9)

The most important task in your life is discovering God’s assignment for you.  Go in confidence knowing that Jesus has sent you,

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be  with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  (John 20:31)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5