Staying on the Mission

Luke 13:31-33 - At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’

What distracts you? When you are hard at work, focused on your main task at hand, what can draw away your attention and rob your effectiveness? For some, it is physical discomfort. For others, it could be the arrival of a friend to chat. Perhaps for you it is opening day – whether fishing season, golfing season, or shopping season (Black Friday, anyone?). In today’s world the notification sound of a newly arrived text or email can pull us off task. Studies have shown how much social media use has reduced the efficiency of today’s office worker.

During the peak of his public ministry in Luke 13, Jesus risked a distraction more debilitating than even Facebook. The ruling governor sought to take his life. That would seemingly be the greatest reason of all to step away from the job at hand, but Jesus had none of it. His response to those who warned him was that he would stay on the mission until it was finished. He knew the day was coming when he would be killed, but fear of it would not keep him from doing what he needed to do.

I encourage you to stay focused on your mission today. Our day will come, and when it does we will not be able to escape it. Worrying about it will only bring it more quickly and rob our ability to get anything done in the meantime. Let’s stay on mission.