Summertime and Mission Part 1
The summer is of course the time for family and vacations. I hope you will have some great time enjoying your family this summer, whether it’s a big trip to some magic kingdom or just going to the pool. Summertime also presents some great opportunities to live on mission for God as well.Â
One big opportunity is the “Bethel Summer Program” Missional opportunity. What an incredible chance for us to serve those less fortunate and really bless some children and their families. Read about here on our website and sign-up for an afternoon!
Most of our opportunities will just come through our ordinary activities. Steve Timmis defines living on mission as “ordinary life with Gospel intentionality.” It’s going to the pool, grocery store or wherever, but with our eyes and hearts open to what God may want us to do. It could be as simple as helping someone you see in need or striking up a conversation with a neighbor.
Let me encourage you with a prayer and some ideas for being intentional about pointing people to Jesus in and through your ordinary life.
First, I would encourage you to begin regularly praying Colossians 4:3-4. Paul was asking for prayer in this verse, but it is a fantastic thing to pray for ourselves as well. Pray this at the beginning of your day. Put it on an index card and put it on your dash board and fridge.Â
“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”  Colossians 4:3-4 (ESV)
Bill Hybels paraphrases this prayer and makes it personal in his book “A Walk Across the Room.” (Which by the way would be a great summer reading!).
“My life is in Your hands, God. Use me to point someone toward you today – I promise to cooperate in any way I can. If You want me to say a word for you today, I’ll do that. If You want me to keep quiet but demonstrate love and servanthood, by Your Spirit’s power I will. I’m fully available to you today, so guide me by Your Spirit.”  A Walk Across the Room page 37
I can’t imagine what would happen if Crossbridgers all over Fort Bend County and Southwest Houston began praying this regularly and by faith responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
