imagining how the church can reorient around mission

A Bracelet Reminder

"It cannot be denied that the missio Dei notion has helped to articulate the conviction that neither the church nor any human agent can ever be considered the author or bearer of mission.  Mission is, primarily and ultimately the work of the Triune God, Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, for the sake of the world, a ministry in which the church is privileged to participate"     –David Bosch

When our group read this quote in our Missional Church class, my right hand automatically reached down to my left wrist.  There beneath my sleeve was a small band—a piece of green yarn—cut and tied and kept there as a reminder.  It came from a Wednesday night, last December 15th, when five girls that I lead in a youth ministry small group and I studied Romans 6.  In verse thirteen, Paul says, “…offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”  The bracelet is a tangible reminder of our dedication to both thank God for His grace and to offer ourselves as a means to show His love to others.

Though the passage in Romans says nothing about mission, it says everything about its cause.  It’s not by our own power that we’re able to live missionally.  It’s only by the gift of Christ Jesus that in him “we too may live a new life” (v.4), one in which every part of ourselves is offered to the work of furthering His kingdom.  As the Church, we are a vehicle, an instrument, a body of believers; and as Bosch so eloquently puts it, we are “privileged” to be a part of the missio Dei, the “mission of God” that is taking place in the world.

My fragile little bracelet is wrapped around the very part of Jesus that took nails in order to offer me a new life.  Can I do anything less than offer myself back to His work of bringing that life to others in return?

Breanne     

6 Responses

  1. I really like this, I also have a few bracelets that serve as reminders for me. One of which is a permanent braided bracelet that resembles the power of God and the strength that I have when I am walking in step with Jesus and the impact I can make with all people that I cross paths with!
    -Colten

  2. I think this is exactly the kind of thought process that will create change in the church. Humbling one’s self and relying more on the triune God is the only way to truly live missionally. Our job is to love people, to come along side individuals and to do life with people, God does the rest. Great words Breanne.
    -Jeremy

  3. Beautiful thoughts, Breanne. It is mind-blowing that we are even chosen for this mission–to be the hands and feet (everywhere that we are). It is a high calling, but a common one. How amazing to be an instrument of an all-powerful God!
    -Lauren

  4. It is so important to recognize what you said about it being not our power but by Christ’s gift that we are able to live missionally. There is really so much freedom in this idea. If it is not us that is the power behind our own missionality, our own identity is not wrapped up in how well we are living missionally. It is not how many people that “we bring to Jesus” that matters. It is our job to just surrender all to Jesus. Our power does not bring people to life in Christ, we just present ourselves in faith to Jesus and trust that he will use us. And having his power working through me is much more comforting than relying on my own strength and ability. Thanks for the reminder.
    -Jeremiah

  5. I think what I meant to say was: Romans 6 never explicitly mentions the word “mission”… but thanks, Rob. I definitely agree 🙂 -Breanne