Momentum (Christ – centred, Spirit – empowered, Mission – focused)
Yes, I have joined a fitness club! It is not the first time I have made this leap into the fitness world, but my determination level is higher this time, and my middle age decline brings great motivation. I arrived at the fitness club and was met by Matthew, a very fit and highly motivated sales representative. He took me on an energetic tour of the fitness facilities, discussed my fitness goals and negotiated a great deal, complete with some awesome incentives. My first week has been amazing. I am feeling energized and highly motivated. The new “me” is on the way.
Recently, as I was running on the treadmill, I began to feel a strong sense of compassion for Matthew. Up until that point, my entrance back into the fitness world was really about me, my health, my goals and my well-being. I had not really thought of this as a place to be on mission. Mission is what I do when I am at the National Ministry Centre or in one of our local churches, where I am “intentionally present” and dynamically focused. At the fitness club, I can check out and, in some ways, be “intentionally absent,” able to think about me and not others. As I continued to run, I was overwhelmed with a deep conviction that mission is not about place but presence.
If the incarnational presence of Jesus is fully alive in me, then wherever I go, I am on mission. I am called to be “intentionally present” in every environment in which God places me. In other words, I am called to always be keenly aware that every place I put my foot is a place that can be influenced for the Kingdom of God.
I began to look around and see the great number of people in the fitness facility. I was amazed by how easily I had blocked out everyone around me and had strung my world into “population “me.”” As I ran, I prayed that God might expand my heart and make me more aware of how my presence must be a conduit of his love and his grace.
At that point, God had me; my fitness world was being recalibrated into a place of mission. In a moment, my imagination began to engage, and I thought of ways I could bless Matthew for his kindness to me. After my workout, I went over to Matthew’s desk and asked if I could chat with him. He welcomed me, and I sat down and affirmed him for the way he had treated me. I was not sure how well my next comment would be received, but I launched in with abandon. I said, “Matthew, I am a person of faith and believe that Jesus Christ can transform people’s lives. I want to bless you for treating me so well, and I have dedicated the first 10 minutes of my fitness routine to pray specifically for you. If you see me working out and you have a specific request, just tap me on the shoulder and let me know.” Matthew sat silent for a few moments and seemed to be a little shaken. He spoke softly and said, “Wow! Thanks. That means a lot to me personally.” I am not sure where God will take that brief encounter, but the first 10 minutes of my workout are the most exhilarating. In fact, I have enjoyed this so much that I am beginning to block out other 10-minute intervals to pray for those who need Jesus. It is amazing to feel my heart getting stronger and larger at the same time.
In Luke 19:5, we read, “When Jesus reached THE SPOT, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”” Talk about being “intentionally present.” Jesus lived with a keen awareness that he was always on mission with the Father. Where is the current “SPOT” in which God has placed you? It is the very place for you to be “intentionally present” as the incarnational expression of Jesus.
“Each of us has some divine calling if we have but the discernment ofthe Spirit to recognize it and the faithfulness to fulfill it.” — A.B. Simpson
Please find the original version in C&MA website