Vision and Mission

I wanted to compete in the Olympics. I had just watched the 1976 Olympics and was so inspired that I determined that 1980 would be my year. I was ten years old. I had the vision of incredible athletes fresh in my mind. Our men's 4 x 100 relay team had just finished in 8th place.  I tore out a picture of the Olympic symbol and a flag of Canada...and put it on my dresser in my room. Then I ran. I ran to school. I ran between classes. One time I even took the city bus to the track at our local university and I ran. Several weeks later, as I was walking past my dresser with a donut in my mouth I caught a glimpse of the flag and the Olympic symbol. I don't remember what happened to that picture, but I never saw it again. Mercifully, Canada did not compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics allowing me much-needed additional time to prepare for 1984. The truth of the matter was that I was inspired. I had a vision of what could be and I started off so well, but life got in the way. Distractions flourished and time went by. I never did live out my Olympic dream. Isn't that the way so many of us approach our faith? We sense a need that grows into desire to know the truth and to live it out in our lives. We find a church and we begin to "walk with Jesus." Our intentions are great...but life gets in the way. We never experience the "abundant life" (John 10:10) that Jesus came to give to us. Thankfully, God keeps the vision for becoming like Jesus...ever before us. However, we were never meant to accomplish it on our own. It begins with a longing that stirs within us. What follows is a decision to follow Jesus. But we need the Holy Spirit to be our help...AND we need each other to accomplish the vision.