One simple four-letter word
I met a dear friend at a coffee shop this morning. As I sipped my freshly brewed ginger tea, we discussed leadership and organizational mission. My friend works for an incredibly mission-driven organization. Decisions and goals are filtered through a distinct purpose. Employees are all-in and understand that they are ambassadors of the organization’s vision. When conflicts arise, leaders point their teams back to the mission as they struggle to work through difficulties. And it’s not just for show — they really live it. People are a part of something larger than themselves. It’s challenging and beautiful and authentic, and it’s changing the world.
During this season of rest, I’ve dreamed of being a part of something like that. I’ve asked many times, “What do I want to do with my life?” and “What do I want to do in this season?” and “What type of organization should I work for?” Three months later and I still don’t have a concrete answer, but maybe I’ve been asking the wrong questions. I’ve read some incredible books and listened to some phenomenal speakers over the past few weeks and coincidentally (or “God-cidentally”) they all share a common theme. Start small. Stay where you are and dig deep roots. Do little things well. Stay connected to God. Be consistent. Instead of asking, “What do I want to do with my life?” I could ask, “What do I want to do with my life today? This afternoon? The next hour?” A wise woman once told me, “Stay in this day.”
When I read about Jesus’s life, He was so present. He’d be teaching His disciples and someone would come to Him in need. He wouldn’t see it as an interruption, but it would become part of His ministry. He could see people’s hearts and healed not only their physical ailments, but also their souls. His person-by-person, moment-by-moment ministry led to the biggest world transformation.
Jesus was mission-driven, too. His movements and decisions were filtered through His Father’s will. He wasn’t governed by people’s opinions, approval or expectations. When times got tough (and they surely got tough), Jesus suffered knowing there was a bigger purpose. A greater story. Constantly in communication with His Father, Jesus modeled such a beautiful way for us. My friends at Character Quest would say that He knew His “why.”
What I love most as I get to know Jesus more and more each day, though, is that there was something underneath his actions. A motive beneath the mission. It wasn’t fame. It wasn’t fortune. It wasn’t power. It wasn’t comfort. He did it all for one simple four-letter word. Love. His motive is love. His mission is love. His essence is love. Love of you and love of me. Crazy, boundless, beautiful, pursuing, reckless love.
I have yet to grasp it in its fullness, but as I get a taste from time to time, I hunger for it more and more. I am convinced that it is the cure for the deepest ache in our souls. Our greatest desire. Our truest “why.” In this season of many questions, my prayer for you — and my prayer for me — is that we may accept that perhaps our greatest mission is to simply let ourselves be loved by the One who loved us first.
Joyfully,
Lauren
