Manhood Through Mission
Summary of Chapter 12
Christ equips a man when He gives him a mission. Simple. A mission isn’t complicated. It’s not abstract. It’s the work right in front of you. It’s taking your interests, your skills, and your circumstances, and using them to exercise dominion over what God’s put in your hands. You don’t need to be clever. You need to be faithful.
First, don’t fall into the trap of thinking your mission must be “spiritual.” Modern men, especially in the church, think serving God means standing behind a pulpit or going to the mission field. They’re wrong. Adam’s mission wasn’t preaching sermons. It was working the ground, filling the earth, and ruling over creation. Ordinary work is spiritual when done in obedience to God. Whether you’re hammering nails or closing sales, it’s holy work if you do it for Him.
Second, don’t believe your mission has to be epic. Hollywood lied to you. You won’t save the world. You won’t be a legend. But you can be a faithful man. That’s what matters. Paul said he learned to be content with much and with little. Your mission might be raising your kids, building a small business, or serving your church quietly. That’s enough. God doesn’t measure your faithfulness by how big your mission looks.
Third, stop thinking you need a detailed map for your life. You don’t. God didn’t give Adam a blueprint. He gave him work and wisdom. That’s enough. Your mission is like a mountain in the distance. You know where you’re headed, but the path isn’t clear. So you move forward, step by step, trusting God to guide you.
How do you find your mission? Look at three things: your interests, your skills, and your opportunities. What do you like doing? What are you good at? What doors has God opened? Write these down. Then ask yourself:
Can this provide for me and my family?
Can this help others?
Can this glorify God?
Don’t overthink it. Don’t wait for perfect clarity. Just start. Pick something that moves you one step closer to where you want to be. Then do it again. And again. That’s how you build a life.
Write down your goals. What do you want to achieve vocationally? Relationally? Spiritually? Set objectives that are hard but possible. Then craft a simple mission statement. Put it on paper. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You can revise it as you grow.
Remember, your mission isn’t about you. It’s about God’s glory. If you chase your own fame, you’ll be empty. But if you work for Him, you’ll find purpose, even in small things. So get to work. Pick something. Do it. Repeat for the rest of your life. It’s that simple.
Questions for Reflection
How do your current interests, skills, and circumstances reflect the mission God has placed in front of you, and what steps can you take to be more faithful in that work?
In what ways have you been influenced by the idea that your mission must be “spiritual” or “epic,” and how might that thinking be hindering your contentment and faithfulness in ordinary work?
What specific goals can you set—vocationally, relationally, and spiritually—that align with God’s glory, and how will you measure your faithfulness rather than the size or visibility of your accomplishments?