For those of you who may not know, we live in Warner Robins, GA home of Robins Air Force Base (RAFB).  This has given me many opportunities to look at life in the military, particularly the Air Force.  There’s much there to appreciate.

One of the things that has jumped out at me over and over is that the military, as well as the civilian workers, at RAFB are drilled on “the mission”.  All of their work is defined in terms of it.  You hear that word alot at military and RAFB functions.  People and units are praised for their part in enabling their squadron, group, wing, etc. to fulifll the mission.  Whether it is a computer systems squadron to pilots of surveillance aircraft such as the J-STARS, all have a vital role in “the mission”.  In this case, the mission is winning the global war on terror.

I need to be a pastor who encourages those in the church to see that all of us have a role to play in fulfilling the mission.  What’s our mission?  I think it goes beyond what we often call the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18ff to go into all the world and preach the gospel- though that is certainly a significant part of the mission.  I think a more compelling and all encompassing vision for the church is found in Ephesians 3:7-12 where the Apostle Paul writes Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have⁽ boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.  [emphasis mine]  (ESV)

The Church’s mission is to display the manifold wisdom of God in Christ to rulers and powers in heavenly places.  It is to manifest the glory of God in and through the cross of Christ.  The Church has a mission to proclaim God’s grace (the great Commission) as well as to live in the light of God’s grace thus manifesting the glory of God.  All of our work for the Kingdom contributes to that goal, that mission.  To borrow from the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, we exist for the glory of God.

This reminds me of the story of a man who came upon two construction workers involved in a massive project.  The first worker was asked, “What are you doing?”  “I’m moving these bricks” was his bored and tired reply.  The second worker was then asked, “What are YOU doing?”   “I’m building a cathedral!” he replied with a smile on this face as he pushed a wheelbarrow full of bricks.  The one who remembered the mission found joy and purpose in his work.

We need to remember the mission- glorifying God by demonstrating his manifold wisdom and grace in Christ.  When we live in light of the gospel in every arena life- at home, at work, on vacation, wherever, we fulfill the mission.