At the beginning of our Christian Ashram experiences, we share in a time of the Open Heart where we answer three questions: (1.) Why have I come? (2.) What do I want? (3.) What do I need? As we are invited to share the answers to these questions, I am always amazed at how many people of all ages are seeking what God\u2019s desire is for their lives. Whether it is the adolescent seeking to discover their place in the world or the retired person seeking to discover their role in the community or the new empty-nester seeking to understand their role as parent from a distance, we all seem to need that direction for our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is God\u2019s purpose for my life? What is God\u2019s mission for my life? Jesus called the disciples to \u201ccome follow me.\u201d He also told the crowds in Luke 14:25-30:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, \u201cIf anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, \u2018This man began to build and was not able to finish.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n God\u2019s mission for our lives requires us to surrender what we want for our lives and to consider the cost of following Jesus. When I travel to places around the world, I recognize the sacrifices I make as I enter a new culture with different laws and rules of engagement. The Constitution of the United States no longer protects me. I must be \u201cwise as a serpent and gentle as a dove\u201d (Matthew 10:16) as I engage with the communities where I preach, teach, and work, recognizing the message I proclaim and the way I seek to help may not be well received. Yet, if God has called and I have obediently answered, I must accept the cost and pray for God\u2019s protection as I follow His calling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These same principles are true in our mission here in the United States. Yes, we are protected with our Constitutional rights, yet we do not have the right to be loose with our theology or Pharisaic with our application. Our mission is summarized well in Jesus\u2019 commission given to his disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 to \u201cmake disciples of Jesus Christ,\u201d and to \u201cteach them everything I have commanded you,\u201d which includes (but not limited to):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Living the Adventure Ministries is called to be in mission around the world as we seek to meet the physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs of the people and communities where we partner in ministry. We seek to be obedient in following where the Holy Spirit leads us in the United States and around the world. Our desire is to be a ministry where people who feel called to travel in mission can join us in ministry. We recognize the cost of discipleship and mission, while trusting the Lord will be with us where He calls us to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where is God calling you in mission? Do you have a clear sense of God\u2019s call on your life? If not, consider Romans 12:2, \u201cDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling us into mission with you. Help us count the cost as we follow you where you lead us. Give us wisdom and faith to be obedient wherever you lead us. In Jesus\u2019 name. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At the beginning of our Christian Ashram experiences, we share in a time of the Open Heart where we answer three questions: (1.) Why have I come? (2.) What do I want? (3.) What do I need? As we are<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6376,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n