When my parents became Christians, their life purpose shifted to the priority mission being to following Jesus. My father became a Christian soldier, not a soldier who happened to be Christian. He taught us that serving Jesus and representing Him was the most important mission to follow, even when we lived in a Muslim country and speaking about Jesus was not allowed. He modeled that belief through the good and difficult circumstances we faced as a family. He taught us the Word of God consistently and modeled using Scripture as a source of wisdom, counsel, and direction.
My mother was a Christian leader in the home. Her priority was also to serve Jesus and honor Him wherever she was, and she taught us as children to do the same. Moving every 2-3 years was challenging. She raised us without having family nearby; the church was her source of support in every place we lived. She was present in our everyday lives, providing for all our needs and supporting us in our education and activities. She led us well through our growing-up years by running the household with excellence and modeling the love of God and the power of prayer. Being a stay-at-home mom was a job she did with great purpose and intentionality to build our faith and point us to Jesus.
So why do I share this? Because friends, whether you are a man or a woman, God has created you to be a leader on mission with Him. Be a Christian first, wherever you work or serve. Follow Christ in everything. Nothing is secular. All is sacred to the one who is following Christ above everyone else. Serve Jesus and represent Him in every action and activity. Learn the Word of God and teach it consistently, using Scripture as a source of wisdom, counsel, and direction. Be connected to Christian community as your source of support. Be present in the lives of your children, providing for their needs and supporting them in their education and activities. Lead your family well by running your household with excellence. Model the love of God and the power of prayer. Be mom or dad, teacher, pastor, or business leader with great purpose and intentionality to build those you serve and point them to Jesus. Don't be a ________ that happens to be a Christian. Be a Christ follower that is also a ________.
You are called on mission with Jesus. You are a missionary to wherever you live and work. You are in full-time ministry because following Christ is not a hobby. It requires giving your whole heart, mind, will and emotions. It requires being a Christian soldier because the spiritual war is real, and the eternal citizenship of souls is worth fighting for.
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