“17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” — 1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV)
Paul writes to the Church at Corinth and here he lets them know the reason he was sent to them in the first place. Yes, he may have done a little bit of baptism while there and that should not be forgotten and should be remembered in that he was baptizing in the name of God, not of his own accord. But his reason for being there was to “preach the gospel” to those in need of hearing it, and that is all.
I know, at this time what my mission is and that is where my focus is each and every day. If something else comes of it in that time that I am carrying out my mission, then so be it, but I want to be remembered for the work that I did in the work to complete my mission. I was sent to teach and improve lives through growth and learning. When I am focused on that mission and purpose, I will accomplish more than if I was just trying to get the grass mowed.
I am a proponent of doing that which you love so that you do not have to work a day in your life. I love the work of improving lives of others and for me it does not feel like work, only a workout fulfilling my mission. In my work, I have been able to touch others in ways that I may not have had I only been interested in doing my job and caring for myself. I will say that I may not be getting the outward recognition or acknowledgment for the work I am doing as others may not understand the work that I do or the reasons I do them. Where that may not be very fun to see others getting propped up for the simplest of things that they have done one time, I will still continue to be the example of what right looks like in fulfilling my mission with or without any notice by others.
God sends each of us for a purpose. We have certain tasks and roles to take on and fulfill. It is not our role to question the validity of them, only to fulfill them. But first we have to recognize that which we are sent for. We, like Paul, have to know what it is we are working toward and focus on that and that alone in all that we do.
What is it that you were sent by God to do? Are you even aware of what your mission and purpose are? What if you were to sit and determine your mission and purpose and then strive each day to fulfill just that, regardless of the end consequences or notice others may have of you?
Trevor's Thoughts 