Where Is God Sending Me?

When we think about God's mission, sometimes we twist it into "my mission—that God is involved in."

But when mission starts with us, we've got it backwards.

In the Scriptures, mission begins with God.

The theologian David Bosch put it this way, "Mission is not primarily an activity of the church, but an attribute of God. God is a missionary God." Ed Stetzer says, "Mission is rooted in the identity of God Himself. God is on a mission, and Jesus is the embodiment of that mission. Jesus identifies Himself as being sent more than forty times in the gospel of John. Then, near the end of the gospel of John, He says, 'As the Father has sent me, I also send you.' (John 20:21). The church is sent on mission by Jesus. It's not that the church has a mission, but rather that the mission has a church. We join Jesus on His mission."

We see these principles in John 4. This is where we find the story of Jesus engaging with the Samaritan woman. I'll share six insights into God's mission—but there's far more to this story, so please share your insights with others.

First: this is a story about Jesus! So we are seeing God engaged in God's mission. As for everyone else? The disciples are confused. The woman is not expecting it. The members of her town are surprised.

Second: God's mission disrupts our cultural scripts. Look at John 4:4. It says that Jesus had to go through Samaria. By the customs of his day, no Jew ever HAD to go through Samaria. There was always a good reason to go around Samaria. Are you open to God disrupting your life in this way?

Third: Jesus makes a connection. At the outset, the power dynamics are stark. Man-woman, Jew-Gentile, Rabbi-social outcast, single-living with a guy after five divorces. Most of all: God in flesh meeting a sinner. How can Jesus bridge the gap? He considers another source of power. The woman has a water jug, and he's thirsty. So he asks her to help him. Do you see "going on mission" as "having all the answers"? Or are you willing to be vulnerable?

Fourth: the Samaritan woman is prepared for mission after her needs are satisfied by Jesus. She comes to the well to get her thirst quenched. But Jesus gives his infinite love to her. In doing so, he meets the endless needs of her soul. Is Jesus the living water of your life? Are you satisfied by him? Have you brought the deepest needs of your life to him—and found that his love is sufficient?

Fifth: the Samaritan woman's testimony is surprising. Her neighbors are expecting shame. But they see joy. Her testimony reverses the expectations within her culture (and in any culture!) Does your testimony defy expectations? Or is it scripted—or stale?

Sixth: the outcome of her mission goes beyond what anyone could ask or imagine. She had no idea what would happen when she went into her town and shared her story. But she felt compelled to go. And she found herself part of God's mission.

God was on a mission. It transformed her life. So she joined God and God's mission. And more lives were transformed.

That's what this course is all about. Transformed for God's mission.

Remember John 3:8? Jesus teaches Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."