. . . they went forth for His name’s sake . . . —3 John 7

As I prepare to leave the country today for travel to Nicaragua and El Salvador, this is a great reminder of why I am going: to advance the kingdom of God in Jesus’ name. Missionaries serving the King seek to build the King’s kingdom, not their own. I am to be about the Lord’s business and not my own endeavors. The goal is to build God’s people and encourage them in the faith.

Even though Peter had denied Christ three times, Jesus reinstated Peter and asked him of his love for Christ. And of course, Peter said yes, he did love Christ. With each confession, the Lord gave Peter some instruction, that being “feed my lambs”, “tend to my sheep” and “feed my sheep” (John 21:, 15-17). Jesus entrusted caring for people to Peter. He told him that the expression of his love for Christ was to be demonstrated in his love and care for God’s people. Peter’s assignment wasn’t to build/rebuild his reputation but to make the name of Christ greater in his own life evidenced through showering the same love and forgiveness he had received onto others.

The Lord has a plans to be sure. This plan includes using me as conduit of His love. I must stay connected to the Lord and stay in tune with His leading. I have to be “detached” from things of this world and “attached” to the things of Heaven (Colossians 3:1-3). In this way, Heaven flows to earth and it happens through me via the Holy Spirit. My devotion to the Lord must be unquestionable and unstoppable. I have to be unwavering and unflappable in the midst of circumstances that seem unexplainable. God is in control and He is sending me forth in His name and it is my privilege to call on His name in prayer for guidance all along the way.

George Lockhart