Empowered for Mission

Written by Donna Mitchell for The Life

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”– LUKE 4:18-19

I sat among a group of somewhat naïve, eclectic, and reluctant Christ followers serving on an inner-city outreach team. Questions ambushed my mind. Am I prepared for this? Am I spiritually mature enough? Am I the right person? Will this affect my life? In the midst of self-interrogation and soul-searching silence, I half-heartedly raised my arm to lead our team. Now, years later, I realize that, despite my reservations, God compelled me to leave my sideline comfort zone and embrace his mission.

Prior to beginning his earthly ministry, Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, reiterated Isaiah’s words – openly declaring his mission mandate. He opened the scroll and spoke a divine decree from the Lord to all who were listening in the synagogue. The Lord had sent Jesus to ”proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, and sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,” and “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Today, he appoints, anoints, and sends his followers to do likewise and embrace his mission to reach out to society’s marginalized. All he asks is a willing heart. Are you willing?

If your answer is yes, you have nothing to fear. The Spirit of the Lord is in you, equipping you with the words, wisdom, and posture required — everything you need for this life-changing adventure. As you embrace his call and become Jesus’ hands, feet, and voice, by divine design, God will transform your life and the lives of those he has called you to reach.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for entrusting me with your mission and for the privilege of being called to be your hands, feet, and voice among society’s marginalized people groups. Open opportunities for me to serve in my community. Empower and equip me to embrace this life-transforming adventure. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Go Deeper — Are you participating in God’s mission in your community? If not, write down the reasons you are reluctant to do so, and then honestly and earnestly pray about it.

Read Further — Serving others is not just what pastors do. We are all called to serve God by serving 

Originally published on: https://www.connectingstreams.com/2019/04/08/empowered-for-mission/