The Heart Of A Missionary

Do you know your purpose in life? Do you really believe you are also sent? Has God called you to his mission? Throughout Scripture, we certainly see the way in which Jesus understood his purpose and calling. When Jesus encountered Zacchaeus and had dinner with him, his purpose was laser-focused:“For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”Paul knew it as well. After scaling the heights of God’s love for us in Jesus and reminding us that nothing will separate us from the love of God (Romans 8), his next words almost give us whiplash:“I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race...” - Romans 9:2-3Why could things turn so quickly? Because Paul had the heart of a missionary. Most of us get distracted or sidetracked every day from our purposes. But not Jesus...and not Paul. Just as Jesus saw Zaccheus through the crowds in a tree, Jesus sees you and me. And just as Paul saw his people were far from Jesus and desired that they would know Him, Paul encourages us to have the same heart.Do we understand the privileges we have been given? Do we grieve over those who are lost? Do we love those who are far from Christ? Do we long to see the people we know come to Jesus? As we explore these questions together this week, I pray that we will begin to see the people and community around us with the same heart and through the same lens. Let’s keep leaning into our invitational nature!Grace & Peace, Pastor Aaron