As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.
John 20:21Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8When a bride marries a king, she doesn't just gain a new name and a new home. She gains a new mission. She becomes the representative of her husband. She carries his authority. She advances his kingdom. She speaks with his voice. She acts with his power.
This is exactly what happens when you become the Bride of Christ. You don't just gain salvation. You gain a mission. You don't just gain forgiveness. You gain authority. You don't just gain eternal life. You gain purpose. You have been sent into the world as the representative of your Bridegroom.
Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." Think about that. The Father sent Jesus with authority, with power, with purpose, with the Holy Spirit. And Jesus sends you the same way. Not with less authority. Not with less power. Not with less purpose. Not with less of the Spirit.
But many believers live like they have been called to retreat instead of advance. They live like they have been called to hide instead of shine. They live like they have been called to be silent instead of speak. They live like they have been called to survive instead of conquer.
The Bride of Christ is not called to retreat from the world. She is called to advance into the world. She is not called to hide from the darkness. She is called to shine in the darkness. She is not called to be silent about her Bridegroom. She is called to make Him known. She is not called to just survive until Jesus returns. She is called to partner with Him in advancing His kingdom until He returns.
Live as a Sent One
Today, live as someone who has been sent by Jesus. Whatever you do, wherever you go, whoever you interact with - see yourself as His representative. Ask yourself: "How would Jesus want His Bride to act in this situation? How would He want His Bride to speak? How would He want His Bride to represent Him?" Notice how this changes your perspective and actions.
- Where have you been living like you've been called to retreat instead of advance?
- What would change in your daily life if you truly understood that you have been sent by Jesus with His authority?
- How can you be a better representative of your Bridegroom in your current circumstances?
- What does it look like to advance God's kingdom in your everyday life?
- What is the difference between being a follower of Jesus and being sent by Jesus?
- How does knowing you have been sent with authority change the way you face challenges?
- Can you live as a sent one without becoming arrogant or self-important?
Jesus, my Bridegroom, thank You for sending me. Thank You for not leaving me to figure out my own purpose, but for giving me Your purpose. Thank You for not leaving me powerless, but for giving me Your authority. I confess that I have sometimes lived like I was called to retreat instead of advance, like I was called to hide instead of shine, like I was called to be silent instead of speak. Forgive me for living far below my calling. Today I choose to live as someone who has been sent by You. Help me to carry Your authority with wisdom and humility. Help me to represent You well in every situation. Help me to advance Your kingdom wherever I go. Let me be a Bride who makes her Bridegroom proud. In Your powerful name, Amen.
You have not been called to retreat from the world. You have been sent into the world as the representative of your Bridegroom.
With honesty and hope, Claire