mis·sion
[‘miSH?n]
NOUN
1. An important assignment carried out for political, religious, or commercial purposes, typically involving travel.
Synonyms: assignment · commission · expedition · journey · trip · errand.
2. An organization or institution involved in a long-term assignment in a foreign country.
3. The vocation or calling of a religious organization, especially a Christian one, to go out into the world and spread its faith.
“the Christian mission” · [more]
synonyms: vocation · calling · pursuit · goal · aim · quest · undertaking · purpose · [more]
4. A strongly felt aim, ambition, or calling.
synonyms: aim · goal · purpose · objective · object · grail · holy grail · target · [more]
So this week has been one of those weeks when adulting just kicked into high gear. It has been a bit of a stressful and frustrating week. Like nothing of importance seemed to go as planned or was there when needed. I had one of those weeks. ( I’m eating a cheese sandwich and Cheetos at the moment just in case anybody cared^^)
Although it wasn’t a downright terrible week, it wasn’t the BEST. But something special happened (checks time 12:48 am)… yesterday. I was standing at the back door greeting lovely folks as they walked into the church for service. Me personally not feeling very smiley on this rainy Sunday desperately waited for the coffee I was guzzling to work its energy giving magic on me.
I glanced up with my tired eyes and saw my longtime friend walking in my general direction; I call her Sam. I throw up the peace sign and greet her with a dull “sup.” Sam smiles and gives me a hug, not just any hug but the long cozy, nice ones that you need from a terrific friend. Let me tell you; I needed that hug. That was all the interaction we had for the rest of the day. Mind you we’ve only ever spoken in passing for the past couple of months. Just the casual “hey” “how’s it going” greetings. Ya know, small talk.
Some of you might read that and think “that’s an odd relationship to have with a so-called “terrific” friend” lol. But most of us, especially in this day and age, have those types of friendships. The ones where you don’t talk for days or months, but when you do it’s like you guys never stopped communicating at all, just pick up where you left off. That’s us. Except we give each other long cozy hugs every once in a while. And that’s okay. Sometimes you need those friends who are there to provide hugs, and those to listen, and encourage, and give correction, maybe one just to goof off with. Every friend plays a different role because every friend is different.
Now you might be thinking ” okay, so what does this have to do with mission?” I’ll tell you.
Jesus’ Mission is Friendship.
John 15: 13-15 says, “13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you servants, for a servant, does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.…”
One of the most significant accolades that Jesus could give to another person was being deemed as His friend. Seeing and understanding the importance of being God’s friend. That is, in fact, the thing that we should be striving for and not necessarily only merely being His servant. Like it says in Luke 19:17 “Well done, My good and faithful servant…” talking about the parable of the talents that we as Christians quote all the time as something we look forward to God saying to us as we enter in eternity.
Do you see the growth in the relationship status of Jesus’ disciples? They went from being described as mere servants to friends. Now the word “friend” doesn’t carry the same weight in English as it does in the Greek. The word “friend” in the Greek is “Philos” meaning a friend; someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a trusted confidant, held dear in a close bond of personal affection.
Note: The root (phil-) conveys experiential, personal affection – indicating 5384 (phílos) expresses experience-based love.
[25 (agapáo) focuses on value-driven (a decision-based) love – which of course does not exclude affection!] –taken from Strong’s Concordance
The best thing about God’s friendship is that you don’t need anyone to replace Him or to compensate for something He doesn’t do. Jesus is the ultimate friend. He gives long cozy hugs; He listens, He gives correction and encouragement. Everything you need is in Him.
That is our Mission as Christians. To not only go and make disciples but it’s to find Him some new friends! Philos.
p.s I love my friends!
