What's the mission?

A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave. (Mahatma Gandhi)

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2)

True love isn't just for the 'twitter-pated' among us. Jesus intended for all of his followers to exhibit 'true love' toward one another. He asked for us to lay down our own agendas for the good of the whole, meeting one another's needs as we are able. Wholehearted agreement amongst brethren is something harder to achieve than it might have been a hundred, two hundred, or even a thousand years ago, though. We have so many 'agendas' to push forward today, it can make it very difficult to keep our eyes on Jesus, allow him to be the center of our daily activities, and push out the enemy of our souls. Yet, that is the mission - keep him at the center of all our activities, allowing him to temper the actions of our lives with love, dignity, and divine purpose.

One mind and one purpose may seem a little 'out there' because we find ourselves 'taking sides' all the time, don't we? We don't believe 'that way', so we go 'the other way'. We don't think 'that teaching' is spot on, so we choose a 'different teaching'. We don't appreciate the good in 'their actions', so we choose to be critical or judgmental because they aren't 'our actions'. Eegads! We have become a society that drives agendas instead of one that unites in loving, purposeful, and mindful activities that bring others into the presence of our loving and merciful God. What could be a 'good plan' becomes a rather confrontational and even intimidating plan. The purposes of God aren't being driven forward when man sets man against another.

Find time to explore what Jesus said about God's love, taking time to really get to know him a little better in the process. When you do, you will find that your actions change - your attitude toward others changes right along with it. The love of Christ that indwells your spirit cannot overlook sin, but it doesn't see the sin as much as it sees the sinner and grieves for their heart and spirit. It moves us to share his love, grace, and presence with others - not embracing their sin, but embracing THEM. Instead of choosing 'sides' in a matter, perhaps the wisest thing we can do is choose to allow Jesus to embrace us a bit closer. Just sayin!