Are you ready for a quiz? This quiz on Thomas Edison may seem strange for Easter, but keep reading to find the mission impossible.
Thomas Edison’s mission was to invent. As the creator of the lightbulb, phonograph, motion picture camera and numerous other inventions, he holds patents for 1, 093 items.1 Edison’s attempts at inventing resulted in 10,000 – yes, 10,000 failures before succeeding.
MISSION!
Merriam Webster defines a mission as, ”a calling, vocation or a specific task with which a person or group is charged.”
Although we may have several missions in life, when we believe in Jesus, God gives us all a primary mission. How we accomplish our mission will be determined by the unique combination of gifts, talents and traits God has given us. Some will accomplish it through a vocation. Perhaps as a preacher, DJ, garbage collector, doctor or clerk. Others will accomplish it through volunteer work, parenting, giving or other means.
The means to carry out our mission
varies with each individual
inspired by
the Holy Spirit
to impact others’ lives.
MISSION FAILURE OR IMPOSSIBLE?
Whether it’s God’s primary mission for us or another mission,
when we feel like we are failing,
it’s mission impossible!
Don’t worry. We all fail.
Through our exposure to knowledge, experiences and even failures we all learn something. Remember Edison’s 10,000 failures? I bet there were times he felt like it was mission impossible! However, his failures more clearly identified the path he should or shouldn’t take. Each failure taught Edison something. Because the tenacious Edison learned from his failures, he accomplished his mission and created successful inventions.
So too can we learn from our failures. Sometimes we move forward, sometimes we move backward. When we slip, fall or even fail, what does God want to show us? He can teach us something like a failed experiment. He can use it for good, (Romans 8:28).
HOW ABOUT ACCIDENTS?
Have you heard of Alexander Fleming? While on vacation, a dirty petri dish left on his workspace grew a bacteria free substance. It was through this accident that penicillin was discovered.2 God will not waste anything, but will use it to develop our character, impact our future and move us forward in His mission for us.
JESUS’ MISSION
Tile in Magdala, Israel of Jesus healing the sick
God’s love for us is so great that He planned a special mission for Jesus.
For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life,
John 3:16
On a mission, Jesus came to earth to seek and save souls for everlasting life.
In His ministry, Jesus took daily actions towards accomplishing His mission. He proclaimed God’s truth and showed love through healing, teaching and compassion. As He did, hearts were impacted and souls saved for everlasting life with Him.
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus
and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved,
Romans 10:9
Jesus faced seemingly impossible situations. Did those situations work in opposition to His mission? No. Like Edisons failures more clearly identified the path he should or shouldn’t take, Jesus’ situations clearly identified the good path we should take or the evil path we shouldn’t. In each situation Jesus was teaching those around Him and future generations how to act.
DID JESUS FAIL?
NO!
Christ’s empty garden tomb in Israel
When Jesus was crucified, died and buried, some might assume Jesus’ mission failed. However, Jesus’ mission did not end in the grave. He rose from the dead gaining life for His spirit and eternal life for ours as well.
Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death,
that just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life,
Romans 6:4
JESUS’ MISSION EXPRESSED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US.
THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE,
JESUS GAVE US ETERNAL LIFE.
Mission Success!
OUR MISSION
Jesus accomplished the most impactful mission in history. Through us His mission continues impacting one heart at a time. The mission He gave to the disciples, is also for us who believe in Him:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,
Matthew 28:19-20
HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH THAT?
God has equipped us to carry out His mission.
He has given us:
Gifts, Talents, Traits
We use these to uniquely impact the lives of others.
Faith
We act in faith showing
love, kindness, mercy, compassion and forgiveness
like Jesus.
Power
We rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to
guide, inspire and give us boldness to speak or act, (John 16:13).
No matter who we are, God can use us to accomplish Jesus’ mission. We may not always see the results of our mission, but in faith we can trust for even the impossible.
For with God nothing will be impossible,
Luke 1:37
REFLECTION
Do you believe Jesus fulfilled His mission? Are you fulfilling yours?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Romans 10:19 and say it aloud, I confess my belief in You and Your resurrection.* Give me clarity in how You want to fulfill Your mission through me. In Jesus name. Amen.
BY FAITH, ACCOMPLISH JESUS’ MISSION!
May your day be filled with love and laughter!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1 thought.com
2 History.com
Photo impossible, Martin Wyall
