LISTEN

At the core of God's mission lies the call to genuinely listen and respond. In the Hebrew language, the word "hear" carries the meaning of active obedience — it necessitates that we not only hear but also act upon what we have heard (Mark 12:29). As we embrace this command to listen, it becomes crucial to forgive others, recognizing it as an essential step in experiencing the fullness of God's power and grace (Matthew 6:12-13). Jesus further emphasizes the significance of forgiveness, stating, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15). Just as we have been lavishly forgiven by God, we are called to extend forgiveness, especially to those who have deeply wounded us (Ephesians 4:32). The Apostle Paul reminds us, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). Our ability to forgive others is rooted in the immense forgiveness we have received from God through Jesus Christ. As we extend forgiveness, we embody the transformative love and grace of God, becoming instruments of reconciliation and healing.

LOVE

Loving God wholeheartedly involves placing Him above all else in our hearts and every aspect of our lives (Matthew 22:37). By doing so, we fulfill the Greatest Commandment and naturally extend that love to our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Reflecting on our lives, we need to ask ourselves if we genuinely love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To love God completely, we must identify and eliminate any barriers that hinder us from doing so. This requires removing anything that dishonors Him from our lives. Nurturing our relationship with God involves immersing ourselves in His Word, the Bible, and faithfully applying its teachings to our daily lives. Through God's transformative love, He desires to work within us, utilizing our lives as a testament to His grace and opening a pathway for others to encounter and know Him intimately.

OBEY

Jesus entrusted us with the Great Commission, urging us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). This collective call reveals God's desire for His glory to be unveiled throughout the world. Jesus assured us of His eternal presence as we carry out this mission. Being on mission with God entails actively engaging in reaching those who have never had the opportunity to hear the life-transforming message of the gospel. Some are called to remote tribes, while others have unique opportunities to share Christ in their everyday lives, even across cultural boundaries. By fulfilling this mission, we actively participate in the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that the gospel will be proclaimed to the entire world before His return (Matthew 24:14). Each person who hears and responds to this message brings us closer to the ultimate culmination of God's divine plan.

As we reflect on the significance of God's mission, we are confronted with a pivotal question: Are there nations or people groups that God has placed in our hearts, calling us to pray for and engage with? In this Missions Month and beyond, we are called to wholeheartedly participate in God's mission, either by continuing our ongoing involvement or by embarking on a new journey with Jesus. Through our lives, God's glory will be revealed, and the nations will witness the transformative power of His love and salvation. May we passionately embrace God's mission and become radiant vessels through which His light shines brightly, so that all may see and experience the undeniable glory of God.