2 Timothy 4:6-8
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and, not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Carol was a young, married lady in our church, with a little one at home and another child in first grade. A group of deacons wives, including myself, began to be concerned about her welfare as she hadn’t been well for quite some time with her doctor unable to find a cause. As she lay in bed day after day, unable to care for her family or to eat on her own, we decided to start taking meals around the clock to meet the need which went on for a while. One day my husband, who was chairman of the deacons at the time, asked for details and then he said, “Stop.” In dismay I responded, “What?” He said it again, “Stop!” “But we think she may be dying.” Then he explained to me something I have never forgotten—“You have stepped in to do what her husband should be doing, and you are enabling him to get away with doing nothing.” In tears, I promised to follow his advice and called off the team of helpers. To our amazement, very soon Carol’s husband did step in to fulfill his responsibility and Carol slowly began to get better, eventually returning to full health.
In his book, Tyranny of the Urgent, Charles E. Hummel made this profound statement, “The need itself is not the call.” Even though we thought we were doing the best for Carol, we church ladies were not called to fill Carol’s need, her husband was.
We are finishing up this series on how to write a personal mission statement by addressing the last three questions: where are you going? how will you get there? when will you know you are there? This is a good place for us to be reminded of the proper order of our responsibilities, helping us to determine priorities and goals for where, how and when:
• God
• Family
• Personal life
• Work
• Church
• Community
Based upon the above list, as well as Charles Hummel’s statement, what do you see yourself doing in 10, 20 or 30 years? What do you think you need to do as opposed to what are you called to do? The answers will come as you continue to pray for clarity and seek His direction for your personal mission. When will we know we are there? When we, like Paul, have fulfilled our mission, have finished the race and have kept the faith. We cannot see it now, but there is waiting for us a “crown of righteousness” which will be awarded to all who have longed for His glorious appearing!
Dear Heavenly Father, we are inspired by the Apostle Paul’s faith that demonstrated his faith in You as he fulfilled his mission. We pray for wisdom to determine our own mission so that we can also run the race to the finish in full confidence of what You have called us to do. In Your name we pray, Amen.
