Mission Day 3 Heart Of Mission

Sara Cissell
May 10, 2023

Matthew 28:16-20
Romans 12:9-21
Hosea 10:12
I love how God’s Word is described as living and active!
“For the word of God is living and effective[.]” (Hebrews 4:12)
Until we experience this reality, verses may simply be words on a page.
The moment the Holy Spirit highlights a verse and brings deeper understanding, it comes alive in an entirely new way, like a diamond held up to the light.
Hosea 10:12 is a prime example from my own life. I recall reading it and sensing the Holy Spirit bring it to life within me.
“Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.”
In that moment, I knew the Lord was talking to me about my fallow ground.
I had an area in my heart I had been carefully guarding and protecting. At first, this had been wise and useful, much like the practice of letting a literal field lie fallow in order to better cultivate crops in a future season. Yet, if it is allowed to remain unused for too long, the purpose of that season of rest may become lost.
The Lord seemed to say, “Sara, it is time to turn over that section of your heart. It is time to let me soften it and prepare it for what I desire to grow there. I want you to bear fruit.”
The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart as only He could, presenting the verse as an invitation. It was accompanied by a peaceful assurance surrendering to Him would be well worth it.
And it was.
It was also a process of releasing control and believing that the work of tilling the hard soil of my heart would result in good things, in glory unto the Lord.
It was boxes of Kleenex and copious amounts of tears softening the proverbial ground.
It was vulnerability, trusting, sharing wisely, and making room for the Lord to show up however He decided to engage.
It was brave obedience.
As a result, I began to see the Great Commission come to life in my everyday moments as never before.
I’ve experienced this process more than once with different “fields” of my heart. One would think I would be able to apply what I’ve learned in one season to another, but alas I am still discovering how desperately I need the Lord to redeem all the areas of my heart.
One thing I have discovered and can accurately apply to situations across the board is the desire to not miss what the Lord is doing.
The Lord is faithful and sovereign. (2 Thessalonians 3:3, Jeremiah 32:17) He loves people and His plans will come to pass. I truly believe if I miss the prompts of the Lord and/or refuse to participate in His mission field, the Lord is big enough to bring about His purposes another way. The timing and method may be different, but it will come to pass.
However, I will miss out on being a part of it.
I want to catch every opportunity to bring Him glory. I do not want to watch on the sidelines as He does what only He can; I want to be part of His work.
I want to share His unfathomable love for us (1 John 3:1), and share how the Lord rescues and redeems us through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and indwelling Holy Spirit.
I long to obediently make disciples of all who put their faith in Him. (Matthew 28:16-20)
I want to get to heaven and glorify the Lord for all the ways He used me.
This desire helps me keep a heavenly perspective, to look at the world around me and strive to see what the Lord may be doing.
The more time I spend in the Lord’s presence, reading His Word and praying, the more I have the ability to look for Him. Time spent in corporate worship, listening to sermons, and engaging in Bible studies enable me to sense the movement of the Holy Spirit and learn from other believers.
Essentially, the closer I am to Him, the softer the ground of my heart becomes, even the fallow parts. It is easier to say yes to Him.
Do you sense Him asking your permission to break up some ground today or to join Him on mission?
Maybe it is related to finances.
Time.
Prayer intercession.
Resources.
Being willing to be inconvenienced for the Gospel.
Even if the topic the Lord is highlighting seems insignificant, that which seems incredibly small to us may be the very thing He uses to set off a dramatic chain reaction.
Lord, may our hearts be fertile ground for Your use.
Help us to bear much fruit for the sake of Your Gospel.
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