Being on Mission is Not Work

Being on mission is not like work.  There are a few words that evoke a particular internal response in me.  I’m wrestling with my response because I don’t like how it feels.  “Intentional” and “purposeful” are two of those words; right along with “mission”.  The idea of being on mission is attractive to me.  I like the sense of doing something – facing a challenge, overcoming it and getting the task accomplished.  I think that’s great when I’m building, cleaning, fixing or solving something tangible.  But it doesn’t work well in relationships.

I believe God has challenged me to live out a mission in Battle Ground.  While trying not to turn it into something much more complicated, I’m really excited about the challenge.  I love Battle Ground – the people, the places and the general vibe of the town.  I really like my neighbors and my neighborhood.  While I was hoping for this when we moved here, I am actually a bit surprised.  I sort of expected the challenge to require a greater degree of sacrifice to overcome annoyances and inconveniences associated with “ministering” to my neighbors. 

It doesn’t feel much like ministering here.  I’m not a pastor.  There is no church.  No one hardly knows who I am – except for that skinny guy in running shorts who’s always sweating on the sidewalk.  It feels much more like hanging out with regular friends.  I’m not trying to save anyone.  It’s not my job anyway.  I’m in no shape to think I’ve got more to offer than I have to receive.  And I just like these people.  Their life experiences are similar to mine.  We all have jobs (sort of), yards, kids, spouses, cars and hobbies – and the joys and anxieties that go along with all of it.  They’re no different than me. 

This is a much bigger story than me moving into a neighborhood.  This is an eternal story that takes a really, really long time (I guess that’s implied by the word eternal…).  I’m realizing an awareness that has been niggling the back of my brain for a few weeks.  My role here is uncomplicated.  It requires nothing of me that is not already part of my identity.  It’s not about extra time, superhuman effort, great wisdom, insight or cunningly seized opportunities.  I just need to show up awake whenever I can and see what Jesus is up to.  He guides, directs and produces results.  I just hang out with my friends. 

I can do that.