Sent by God

“… As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you”

John 20:21

*This is part of a devo I wrote a couple weeks ago and I was supposed to share it with one person, but I think I need to share it with whoever reads this*

Acts 13 is the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey. It starts with, “… the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13:2-3). In the next two chapters, you see Paul and Barnabas going to every town boldly preaching the Gospel and seeing people surrender their lives to Christ. 

They were sent to fulfill the goal the Holy Spirit gave them, and they did not return until they had completed it. The Holy Spirit led them and took them to where they had to go. Wherever they went, they knew they had been sent to that place by God, and therefore had a purpose, a mission: to share Christ.

One person who knew they had been sent by God to fulfill a mission was Joseph, “and Joseph said to his brothers, “… God sent me before you… and God sent me before you… it was not you who sent me here, but God…” (Genesis 45: 4-8). Joseph knew he was in Egypt because God had separated him to fulfill a mission larger than himself; it was something God had created Joseph for.

Another person who was sent on a mission was Joshua, “…now therefore, arise, go… every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you…” (Joshua 1:2-3). Joshua knew that wherever he went, his mission was to trust in the Lord as He liberally gave them the land He had promised them.

Jesus Himself was also someone sent by God to fulfill a mission, “my food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34); “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29), and He did not return home until He had fulfilled it.

All these men had been set apart by God to fulfill a specific purpose for His kingdom, and they were no different than us. We, too, have been separated unto God as His disciples. Jesus tells John the Baptist’s disciples, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard” (Luke 7:22), and tells us, “… As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21) to do the same: to go and speak of what we have seen and heard Him do in our lives. 

I believe as disciples of Christ we have to change our mentality and understand that there is a job to be completed and that wherever we are, we have been sent by God. 

There are places and people that can only be reached by YOU. Don’t let them miss out. Don’t cheat yourself of the blessing of sharing Christ with others, either. It’s worth it 🙂