The definition of a mission is “an important work carried out…"
When I signed on with AIM to participate in the Washing ton, DC missions trip I assumed my mission would be the homeless and hungry, because that is a typical mission trip, right? As a matter of fact I was wrong. This trip opened my eyes up to what true missions are. Missions are an important work that is carried out, and in our case, an important work for the Lord. I realized this week, with the help of my awesome leaders and fellow crews that missions is far more than helping the hungry and homeless. While working with the teachers and students at Cornerstone School, I realized that they are on a mission every day-A mission to teach and provide a sound and safe education to the children and Christian values. The kids are on a mission too, some do not know it yet but others have realized that they are on a mission to overcome the statistical odds and be just what the Lord intends them to be. While working on the clean-up crew in the housing projects we realized that our mission may have caused us some confusion and frustration but that we were still on a mission for the Lord.
I realized that more people need to see the love of our Lord, than just the homeless and the hungry. When we are ask to the hands and feet of the Lord, we are not instructed to just those homeless and hungry, there are plenty who have shelter and food who are in need of the love and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though it ran through all of our heads as to why we were doing duties that able bodied people could have easily done, we all came to the realization that it wasn’t about what we accomplished as much as it was about how we accomplished it.
(his face says it all)
I was honored to work with a group of individuals who understood that and did the work with smiles and happy hearts. I pray that a seed was planted in someone’s heart during this mission. If the seed was planted that a group of crazy Jesus loving people wanted to take the time to clean or help at a school, then we accomplished our entire mission. When you see past the trash, drugs, paraphernalia, bottles, broken structures, you are humbled to just be doing the Lord’s work.
(doesn't this encompass it?…beauty through it all!!)
(I feel strongly that we are all but a bad choice and God’s mercy and grace from being in these positions.)BUT…(there’s always a but…) one of the most important lessons I learned on this trip, is that the mission is not over!! We do not have to travel hundreds of miles away to accomplish our mission. Our mission is an everyday, every minute assignment. And while I deeply (fire in the belly deeply!) and passionately long to travel more with missions and this organization, I am blessed to have had this experience to teach me to not forget my everyday missions. We are the Lord’s hands and feet in our communities, jobs and families. ATL-Ask The Lord what your mission is everyday…
