Mission from Worship

I love the story of the Magi... sincere worshipers who didn't fit the profile of the typical worshiper of Yahweh.  Their mission to find the prophesied Jewish Messiah was triggered by an unusual star but it was motivated by worship of the true God.

Without worship the sighting would have simply become fodder for interesting debates and discussions among the Magi about the Jewish God and the Jewish people along with conjecture as to what might become of this new Jewish King.  However, for these men included in Matthew's telling of Jesus' birth narrative, their worship became the fuel not for conversations but for action...for mission.  There is not a single ministry or act of service we should do out of duty.  God doesn't need our duty and serving Him to impress others will quickly lose its appeal.  Every important endeavor we undertake must start from a heart of worship.  Every worship service we attend, every service project we sign up for, every ministry we agree to help must begin with our love for God and our desire to glorify Him.

Of course the Magi's trip itself from Persia or Arabia or maybe even Africa was a long, dangerous, and expensive journey away from the comforts of home.  I'm sure the question arose at least a couple times, "Now why are we doing this?"  I've found myself in the middle of ministries and missions that God has called me to that caused me to question whether I wanted to continue.  During those times we remember that worship doesn't just fuel mission it also sustains it...otherwise it's just not worth doing.  Whether it's faithfully serving your church without recognition, or being a testimony to an unbelieving spouse, or unconditionally caring for a special needs family member, or being a foster parent, or starting a ministry for single moms...the sustaining power to endure the challenges of mission comes from a focus on doing it for God's glory.

When the Magi reached the logical destination to meet the new Jewish King, Jerusalem, I'm not sure if these far-easterners were more surprised by his not being there or that no celebration was taking place.  Regardless, they were undeterred.  They had come a long way and knew they were close and knew that God had set them on this mission, so they persisted in spite of what was undoubtedly an awkward interaction with Herod.  They found Jesus (a toddler less than 2 years old) by following a supernatural light (an angel?) from Jerusalem to Mary & Joseph's house in Bethlehem.  There they worshiped God some more by giving the valuable gifts they had brought (perhaps in the moment they wished they had even more to offer.)  The glad sacrifice of treasures preceded by the sacrifices of a long journey preceded by the decision to leave the comforts of home were each done not out of duty, but for worship of God.

Worship started their mission.  Worship sustained the mission. Worship was the climax of the Magi's mission.  Remember this Christmas that God is real and as you reflect on His character and power expect to feel compelled to do something sacrificial for Him.  The story of Jesus' birth is a story of how God's self-worship led him to do something sacrificial for us.  He left the comforts of home; journeyed a lifetime on earth, and the climax to the story was that He gave His greatest treasure.  He gave His life not out of duty but out of love so that in the end He would be glorified and worshiped.

The Gift of Perspective

Sometimes the greatest gift we could receive is “perspective.” 

Six and half years ago my wife Tammy, and I were in Phoenix Children’s Hospital with our newborn, Zachary, who was battling for his life.  During our daily visits to the hospital we discovered families who were facing problems worse than ours, which gave us perspective. During the recent economic downturn I have seen many people, businesses and churches that suffered more than me or my church.  That was a gift I needed to keep from self-pity.  I also saw that as a church we didn’t need the budget and programs that I thought we needed for God to use us…another gift from God.  

Of course perspective in times of blessing is also a gift from God.  What else keeps me grounded and humble when everything is going my way and my plans are unfolding just as I had imagined?  The truth is that success is often a greater test of character than the trials of life.  So, perspective becomes a vital ally in keeping us from walking down the path of self-sufficiency.  It’s perspective that reminds us that it’s all from God and it all belongs to God.  It’s perspective that teaches us to see that the outward trappings of “success” are only an illusion that could easily distract us from what God’s standard of success really is…faithfulness.

As they prepared for their trip to Bethlehem, I’m sure Mary and Joseph didn’t feel like their lives to that point had amounted to much.   I’m also quite confident that Mary wasn’t looking forward to an 80 mile donkey ride to Bethlehem.   Yet, throughout the first advent, God encouraged Mary and Joseph with visions and visitors.  These gifts from God gave them the heavenly perspective of what He was up to, which caused “Mary to treasure up all these things and ponder them in her heart (Lk 2”.) 

What is God up to in your life and in your church?  You can bet He’s up to something, but if you’re distracted by struggles or blessings you’ll miss it.  As was the case with the birth of Jesus, what God may be up to in your life could be simultaneously understated and profound.  So pray for the perspective to see it!