God designed each of us with the abilities and talents to complete the unique mission into which He has placed us. The Lord goes before each and all of us, giving us the necessary weapons, strength, authority, and power. Through His death and resurrection, our victory has already been assured.

SCRIPTURE

12 Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence. 13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. 
1 Corinthians 10:12-13, MSG

We receive the same marching orders given to the disciples and evangelists in the Bible. Fulfilling this mission will not look the same from one person to another.

7-8 He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.” 
Acts 1:7-8, MSG

THINKING IT THROUGH

Here are a few examples of this mission-fulfillment diversity from Book of Acts (there are so many more):

• Paul was a zealous, hotheaded fanatic both before and after his conversion, someone who told it like it is. He left the life he knew to spread the Gospel throughout the world. It often put him in great danger, and his life on earth ended by execution.
• Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, who was sent out as a missionary. This man, whose name means “Son of Encouragement,” brought a great number of people to the Lord (Acts 11:24).
• Timothy was a young man of mixed heritage… His exceptional reputation among local Christians (Acts 16) and familiarity with both the Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures made him an excellent protégé for Paul. This enthusiastic, faith-filled youngster volunteered for exposure on the front lines of the spiritual battle field at an early age and fought the good fight throughout the rest of his life.
• Priscilla was a woman of Jewish heritage and one of the earliest known Christian converts who lived in Rome (Romans 16). Her home was a safe haven for followers of The Way. She is often thought to have been the first example of a female preacher or teacher in early history. We’ll meet Priscilla in Heaven.
• Lydia lived and worked in Philippi, dealing with textiles colored with purple dye (Acts 16). Her wealth allowed her to live independently in a spacious house. A Gentile by birth and a religious seeker, this successful businesswoman opened her heart, her home, and her life to following God, providing a home base for Paul and area converts.
• We will meet all these saints in heaven.

What do their examples show us in our lives today?

• Were all of these people in full-time ministry?
• Did all of these people work for God wherever they were and in whatever they did?
• Is “working for God” your destiny and your calling as well?
• Do you really believe this, or do you ask—like Moses—“Who am I that you should ask me to do this?” (Exodus 3). God’s answer to Moses—and to us—is the same: “You’re with Me.” Do you believe it?
• Remember: we are with God and in God, a part of His family. Whatever we do, He has us covered.

Adapted from Light the Match, Strike the Fire, Strike the Match, Light the Fire,
by Kathleen Evenhouse, Writing With Vision, Pella IA, 2021, pg 176-179

HOW IT WORKS

On Mondays we will look together at verses, ask questions, and ponder God’s words in our hearts. Then we look for some creative way to express, explain, remember what we heard from God for our loves this week. The act of drawing, writing, crafting, painting, doodling, rehabbing old to new—all of these can reflect God’s words. And as we share them, we are sharing His light.

I will post a variety of creative reflections of God’s word. I’d love it if you would share your work with others who interact with this blog. You are sharing God’s light through your own unique filter when you are willing to do that. If it’s a doodle, your child’s drawing, or something you crafted out of playdough—all are expressions of God’s heavenly light. You can send a picture to me at KSEvenhouseWWV@gmail.com