When I was in the aviation squadron we often discussed the topic of situational awareness.  Situational awareness involves having the “big picture.”  It is being aware of what is happening and understanding how information, events, and one’s own actions impact the outcome, both immediately and in the future.  Situational awareness is especially important in work where the information flow can be quite high and poor decisions may lead to serious consequences such as flying an airplane.

 Although the term itself is fairly recent, the concept has its roots in the military history such as Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.  No one exemplifies the concept of situational awareness better than the life and ministry of Jesus.  He was always in control and understood the big picture.

 Jesus’ life was purposeful always keeping in mind the will of the Father.  He eschewed lesser concerns keeping His face resolutely set toward Jerusalem and preparing a small group of men who would lead a movement for taking the Gospel to the world.  He had a strategic focus realizing that the things which matters most must never be at the mercy of the things which matter least.  He prepared, equipped, and sent forth His disciples as He had been sent forth by the Father.

 As individuals or as a church we should not fear failure as much as succeeding at things that don’t really matter.  We need to maintain our situational awareness so we keep the “main thing” the “main thing”.  We can become so involved with doing good things that we miss doing the best thing.  We fail not because we do not try to do something but because we let our good efforts become a substitute for not doing God’s best.  As Robert Coleman said, “We have not been called to hold the fort, but to storm the heights.”

 Jesus’ charge to His disciples is clear, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).  You have been sent – don’t miss God’s mission for your life by getting caught up in lesser matters.  You have the opportunity to participate in the great commission by seeing people transformed from the domain of darkness into His marvelous light!