My Mission Statement
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2 Peter 1:12-15)
Do you have a personal mission statement? Do you have a purpose that you know exists within you but you've never taken the time to articulate it?
Organizations use mission statements to express their purpose internally and externally. They have two sets of clientele - staff and their customers. A mission statement for the staff reminds them of why they come to work every day, who they serve and how they serve. That same mission statement speaks to the external clientele too. Who we are and how we serve you is expressed in a mission statement.
Christ gave us a mission statement in Matthew's Gospel:
"18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20)
What is our purpose? To make disciples. How? Baptize and teach them everything he has commanded. He assures us he will be there for us all the way to the end.
Peter today extends to us his own personal mission. He is here to remind us, to stir us, and to enable us to remember after he is gone. In essence, he's here to teach, empower and leave a legacy.
What is yours? I hope this stirs you into action to think about, jot down, write it on your heart and to live it. Our time here is short, but our impact can live long after we are gone.
Pray we live Christ's greater purpose in our own lives. Amen