You Have a Mission!

If you heard Jesus say today, “Do you love me?”, would your heart respond, “I love you, Lord?” 

No matter who you are or what your life, in practicalities, looks like, you could respond with the same declaration in your heart that Peter made, “I love You, Lord”. And what would the Lord’s response be, I wonder.  Just as with Peter, I think the Lord would reply to each one of us, “Feed my sheep”.

It doesn’t matter how troubled, broken, dirty or damaged we are, if our hearts stir with love for our Saviour and King, we can choose to respond with action. We all have a part to play, a job to do, a mission to accomplish.

You don’t have to have a platform or be a teacher, minister or leader to be used by the Lord to help feed His sheep. Who are Jesus’ sheep? It’s our neighbours, our friends, our colleagues, the people we pass on the street, our Christian brothers and sisters all over this world – His creation.  God can use you and me today to give something of life and encouragement and hope to those around us. We have a mission He has given us.

So, today, how is the Lord asking you and me to feed His sheep? Is there someone we can pray for? Can we call or email someone the Lord would want us to encourage? Is there a teaching we can pass on, a song that the Lord encourages us to share? Why not ask the Lord if He would show you what ‘feeding His sheep’ means for you?

Don’t let the enemy discourage you, belittling what you have to offer.  All the Lord asks from any of us is our obedience and our offering of all we have – our loaves and fishes. Who are we to judge which is more important, a preacher sharing God’s words with thousands, or a neighbour who prays for the child next door? God is the One who is able to see the heart, and He accepts the offering we bring.

Who knows how God will use your obedience and your offering of love? Who knows the outcome of your prayers offered in obedience for your neighbour? God includes us in His works and lets us play a part, but the works of His Spirit to accomplish His plans are beyond our concept or control. We just get to do our bit and He does the real work. He is the One who deserves the glory.

It could cost us something to reach out and be obedient to what the Lord is prompting us to do. It might mean getting past the fear of looking foolish and reaching beyond our own comfort zone to bless someone else. We might get it wrong. It can be challenging to put aside our own struggles and think of someone else when we are in need ourselves. How real this is!  It’s the place we all find ourselves in as we walk with the Lord. He beckons us to step out and trust Him more and more. 

I guess this is what puts the authenticity into the words of our hearts, “I love You, Lord”. It’s saying, “More than anything else, more than my reputation, my fears, my doubts, my own needs, I love You, Lord”.

So be encouraged. You are one of God’s children and He has a place and purpose for you. You are part of His family and He can and will use you to be a blessing to others in this dark world.
 
Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You love me, and today my heart responds, “I love You, Lord”.  Thank You that You have a plan and purpose for my life to share Your love with those around me. Please will You show me how I can do my part ‘feeding your sheep’ today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.