A Mission From God!

Jesus said, “Peace to you: Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” John 20:21

On June 20, 1980 Universal Studios released the movie which would become an instant classic, The Blues Brothers. The movie tells the story of Jake and Elwood Blues and their mission from God.

Jake Blues, a vocalist and petty thief, is paroled from prison after serving a three year sentence for armed robbery. He is picked up by his brother Elwood, and they decide to make their first stop a visit to the Catholic orphanage where they were raised.

Sister Mary Stigmata who resides at the orphanage, greets the two with disturbing news. Unless the orphanage can raise the $5000.00 it owes in property taxes, the establishment will be closed. The Blues Brothers begin a trek to see what they can do to help.

At the suggestion of their friend, Curtis, the boys attend a sermon by the Reverend Cleopus James at the Triple Rock Baptist Church where Jake has an epiphany: they can reform their band, (The Blues Brothers, which disbanded when Jake went to prison), and raise money to save the orphanage. The movie tells the story of their journey to make the deadline, and their mission from God.

Although, there are many things along the way that threaten to derail their mission, the boys end up paying the property taxes for the orphanage! They complete their mission from God even though a return to prison was the price they paid.

Although the mission from God in this movie is ficticious and unrealistic, God assigns realistic missions of many different natures to us as Christians. A mission from God is rather like an assisgnment in which, we, as Christians are allowed to participate in demonstrating God’s love, promises, and hope. There are people all around us who are living out this mission from God in their everyday life.

We served five churches in our tenure in the ministry. In each one, the church had a Mission from God whether it be something like every day Bible studies or small groups, or something such as supporting missionaries and housing the homeless. Everyone worked together to make a difference. Every mission from God is important!

In the past week, I’ve seen a mission from God in action not only in our church and small groups, but also in a much larger community of friends and even strangers. Ten days ago, we got the news that the grand daughter of two of our dear friends had been admitted to ICU in Tampa, Florida with encephalitis and meningitis which resulted in brain surgery. Laine is five years old, and a precious little girl!

As word spread of her situation, we all had the conversation that began with, “What can we do to help?” It became apparent that although we couldn’t be there physically to help our friends, we had a job to do. We’ve often heard it said, “We feel so helpless. There’s nothing we can do to help,” but God says, “I have a mission for you.” It became apparent, that our mission was and is to lay all our petitions before Him, and in childlike simplicity pour out our hearts in prayer while trusting in Him to do the rest.

This mission for us at this point is to pray until the mission has been accomplished or until we have complete assurance in our hearts that it will be. Through our prayers, we are declaring that nothing is impossible with God.

Laine has proven that she is a fighter, and those of us who are on this mission from God are committed to fight this battle with her. The Tampa community, churches, and friends have banded together to pray and support the family believing that prayer breaks all barriers, dissolves all chains.

The many folks here and in so many places are committed to expect the unexpected things of God which are above all that we might ask or think. The Bible reminds us that when two or more people agree on anything to pray about on earth, God will grant it, and that Jesus is present when two or three are gathered in His name. Matthew 18:19-20

The God of hope gives us hope in the form of a promise and a track record of faithfulness that remains unbroken. We are believing that God will continue to provide the miracles needed to heal her completely. Please join us in praying for precious Laine and her family.