I was talking with a friend on the phone the other day. We had not spoken with each other for nine months or so. But what a joy to connect again with a sister in the Lord!
She shared her family update and about her recent injury. I, in turn, updated her about our family and any highlights. I’m always amazed how real friends can just pick up where we left off. No one is offended because we didn’t call, write or email every week. Our lives connect instantly once the contact is made in whatever form. Those are the best friends to have.
In the middle of our conversation, she mentioned the challenge given to her from the Bible study group leader. It was “What is your mission this year?” Awesome question for this time of year (or anytime)! My friend shared what she felt her mission from God is for her life. It may take her all year to accomplish it.
That question got me thinking. What is my mission from God? Anything different from what I’m doing now? I currently coordinate our church’s food pantry which is a huge task. I pour myself into my family in so many ways. I love to use my creative side to change the decor at church making it an inviting place to worship. I continue to write weekly for the Farmers’ Advance to honor God. I enjoy connecting with people one on one to encourage and uplift one another. But does God have anything else in store for me to accomplish for His kingdom in 2026? That is what I am asking God to reveal in my life.
In the past year, God challenged our elder board at church to pray for fruit of our labors. The food pantry has operated for decades as physical food was passed out. However, what about the spiritual food and spiritual impact?
We have other ministry outreaches among the church members too. What about the fruit from those ministries?
Here’s an awesome report. Since the elders and church began praying for fruit of our labors (whether known to us or not), we began to have a few more attendees at our Sunday morning services. One lady from the food pantry did accept Jesus as her personal Savior and has been attending also. Other men connected with another ministry have shown a greater understanding of the messages being shared. God is moving in our little country church in the lives of many to whom we reach out. We began to ask and God is answering.
So, I see my mission this year as more of a prayer warrior. I will be praying for our family, church and its ministries. I will be praying for loved ones who have strayed away from the faith. I will be praying for fruit to happen because of our faithful service to God. I will be praying for our country and state and its leaders. I will be praying that the words I write in Farmers’ Advance will reach many around the world so many will come to know my Lord and Savior and have a personal relationship with Him. Prayer is the mission I should focus on more and more.
I ask you the same. What is God’s mission in your life this year? Ask God to guide and direct what or where you should do or go. Regardless of the call, let’s be faithful to follow through. It’s going to be a great year!
Gail loves the Lord most of all. She delights in her calling to be a wife to Ed Malick and a mother to seven children and grandmother of 19. Ed is the sixth generation on the homestead family farm in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan.
Seeds of Hope
An elderly lady asked a young child, “How do you do, my dear?”
“Fine, thank you,” came the reply.
There was a pause, and finally the lady asked, “Why don’t you ask me how I am doing?”
After thinking for a moment, the child replied, “You know, I really don’t care how you are doing!”
Demonstrating care for others is an important responsibility of the Christian. In fact, the first century Christians were recognized by the saying, “My, how they love one another!” Sadly, that is not true today. Some churches are more like a wrestling match than a worship center.
In His wisdom, God has connected all of us together, believers and nonbelievers. No one is self-sufficient or able to act independently of others and never requires help from anyone. We must never think that we are ever excused from the responsibility of giving help to those in need. It’s God’s way, especially for Christians, to show His love to those who are unsaved.
We read in God’s Word that “we will reap whatever we sow.” As someone once said, “You can’t plant corn and expect to get a crop of watermelons.” Although we may not want to believe it, we will only get what we have planted. We see this truth in the laws of nature and find evidence of it in the laws of God as well. Everything we do has predictable results. If we sow comfort, we can be assured of receiving care. Christians must always live God’s love.
Today’s Prayer: Help us, Father, to be alert to the needs of others and sow Your love and grace. May we share the gifts You give us with others, and bless them in Your name, for Your sake, amen.
Today’s Scripture: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:1-10
This article originally appeared on Farmers Advance: Ask God to guide and direct what you should do and where you should go
Reporting by Gail Malick, Farmers’ Advance / Farmers Advance
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
