The Power of Assessement

Good afternoon Commissioners,

It is a new month and 59 days until the end of the year and what a year its been! I don't know about you but this year has been full of ups and downs, but I am grateful to still have air in my lungs. Most importantly, I am so grateful that this ministry is officially a year old! I am ecstatic for what is to come and to continue the mission that God has entrusted to me. As with any anniversary, it serves as a time of reflection. Being called by God is not a small task, It requires dedication, sacrifice, and a love for the people that he has called you to serve. I can say that while this year has been less than stellar, it has brought some great revelations. For one, our time here is short. So many people have lost loved ones due to this pandemic in such a short time. Two, when everything around us is uncertain, we can count on God. I have seen God move mightily in the lives of people this year. While some people may have lost their jobs, there were others who were getting promoted, starting new businesses, and returning to their first love (God). And three, the constant thing we have in our lives is God. The world is ever-changing, but he remains a constant help in times of trouble. I am thankful now more than ever to be serving a God that SEES me.

This realization has pushed me to analyze my role and purpose in this life. It has brought me to a place of self assessment. The goal of Commissioned has always been to reach the lost, to bring others into communion with their savior, and to walk in purpose upon awareness of this wonderful sacrifice that Christ made for sinners like you and me. Has Commissioned lived up to its mission? In some areas yes, but in others, no. It's not enough to have a beautiful mission statement without actually fulfilling the mission. I don't want something that looks good in theory but fails in its execution. In order to accomplish anything, there needs to be laborers who are not afraid to put their hand in the plow to pull out the harvest. In Matthew 9:35-38, it reads " the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” This is my posture in this season--praying for laborers. The goal is to see others come out of darkness into the wonderful light of knowing Jesus. I don't want a ministry that's more about performing than informing people of the good news. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 states, "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." My goal is to live a life that pleases God and to lead a ministry that God takes great pleasure in. The message given to me was to go to the byways, the highways, the hospitals, and the nursing homes to bring people into the kingdom. I have deviated from that message and it has left me frustrated and inadequate in my calling. So, I have taken inventory of the areas where I came short and from now on, will do it God's way because his way is perfect. "The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it." Proverbs 10:22

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritancefrom the Lord as a reward.It is the Lord Christ you are serving." --Colossians 3:23-24.

I had to shift my focus from performing for my own comfort and reevaluate the ministry through God's lenses. As christians, it is healthy to evaluate your life and the purpose God has called you too. So many people are burned out in ministry because they have deviated from their purpose. They are doing things on their own strength instead of depending on God. So now the ministry has moved passed phase I and now to phase II which is to be more intentional on making sure we are reaching unbelievers for Christ. "And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives." Jude 1:22-23

There is a famous quote that says, " “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.” --Erma Bombeck. This is my heart posture in this new season--to use all the gifts and talents that I have to grow the kingdom of God.

All is not lost. I enjoyed hosting the commissioned meetings and I hope to host more in the upcoming year! Here's a look at some of the best times in this ministry pre-covid.

Be blessed and remember, God did not create anyone that he does not love:)