Mission Driven Life: Win Your Race
History books are filled with stories of people who faced life-threatening illness or injury yet lived into their eighties and nineties too bound to their mission to leave the planet. There’s something about a purpose that keeps you not just alive, but kicking.
On the other hand, there is an eerie and common occurrence among people who retire: a tremendous percentage of these people die within the very next year. Perhaps they’ve left not only their careers but also their missions.
Paul said, Phil 3:13 “I am in chains for Christ.” On one hand, that sounds depressing. Yet, it’s hard to imagine someone on a mission chronically unhappy. The phrase “on a mission” conjures up an image of someone fired up, energetic, and ready to take on the world. Yes, there will be challenges and chains, but a man or woman on a mission never paints a picture of someone depressed, fatigued, and hunched over on a bar stool or in a medical waiting room. Rather, it is someone with energy, fortitude, hope, and reserves.
Mission is defined as “the sending or self-imposed charge to perform a specific duty or service [purpose, object, or aim].” A military mission is a sworn duty. There are no intentions or aims, only results—or you die trying. It’s high calling and high commitment. It’s not just purpose; it’s sworn and lasting purpose. There’s focus, there’s excitement, and there’s a never-stop, never-quit attitude that causes you to learn, adapt, and persevere no matter the circumstance. Your mission is a command you keep in your heart no matter what.
Christian leaders will often tell us that they're, "On assignment." One church organization I work for has been through tremendous challenges over the years. Their co-founder died early on, there was a split within the organization, sickness in the family of the remaining founder, and like any mission that's been around for nearly two decades; many plans they believed were God's not come to fruition. On the other hand, they've now accomplished more then they can imagine. Originally called, "The Billion Soul Initiative" - they've surpassed a billion and are working on the second billion. They're in 100s of nations with 100s of 1000s of members.
I asked my friend, co-founder, and leader of this organization how he's managed to endure so many hardships. He's told me time and time again, "I must complete the assignment. If God has called me to win my race, God forbid I don't win my race."
With God, all things are possible,
Dr. Ben
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