This Is Your Mission

Posted on Jan 23, 2018 Topic : Men's Christian Living
Posted by : Rodney D. Bullard

If you asked someone to describe a hero, you might get descriptions of those involved in very specific vocations. Sports heroes may be the most common, but every vocation has its heroes: music, art, education, science, technology, engineering, business…the list is endless.

Since the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, many citizens have developed a greater appreciation and respect for the heroes who are first responders—police, firefighters, and EMTs. Depending on your own experience, the hero who comes to your mind may be someone in the military or a doctor or a nurse or a foster parent.

These are all heroes. Without a doubt. And before they donned the uniform or signed the dotted line to have a job that is also heroic, they had a pull, a beckoning that they responded to with a yes.

God gives each of us a well and wealth of talents, inclinations, experiences, and cultivated gifts. To respond to a need, we don’t have to meet a divine standard in specialness; we are all special. We don’t need an engraved invitation, because the invitation is already written on our hearts. We just have to draw from our God-given gifts and use them as He intended for us to.

So, whether we go to a job that demands daily heroism or we sit at a desk and make the world better from our laptops and a 9-to-5 or caring for our kids, we all are given countless chances to rise up with a resounding “Yes!”

We can be encouraged by the apostle Paul’s words written to the Christians in Rome. He invited them to embrace and commit their unique gifts to the good of others and the health and wholeness of the body of the church. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8 NIV). Even as Paul struggled with discouragement during his challenges, he followed his call to lead others toward heroic living—embracing their unique spiritual gifts and using them for the whole of mankind and in service to God.

How do you know when you are living heroically? I could probably make this more eloquent, but the simple truth works: As a hero, your call is to give your all—for someone else. This is your measure; this is your mission.