"It's about our pride. He asks if we'll give up that thing we're so proud of, that thing we believe causes us to matter in the eyes of the world, and give it up to follow Him. He's asking us, 'Will you take what you think defines you, leave it behind and let Me define who you are instead?'-Bob Goff, Love Does
I read that quote from Bob Goff two days ago and the more I think about it the more I've come to believe that this is what happened in my life 6 years ago. Only in my case, God didn't so much as ask if I'd give something up as He ripped it out of the death grip that I had on it.
Let me explain. 6 years ago I was the Pastor of a small church in Portland, OR and I loved it. I tried to chronicle that journey here. It was the most difficult job I have ever had and the best job I've ever had. Every month was a financial struggle to survive, both for our family and for the church, but I loved it. Or at least I thought I did. What I've come to realize is that maybe what I really loved was the idea of being a pastor because in the 6 years since that church closed I've struggled and I'm realizing that a big part of that struggle is that I believed that what caused me to matter in the eyes of the world (my world, people who knew me) was the fact that I was a pastor. That was what defined me, at least in my mind. And for these past 6 years, without that to define who I am, I've felt lost, confused and worthless. I am having to learn what it means to let Jesus define who I am apart from what I do for Him.
About two years ago I was introduced to Skye Jethani. I first heard Skye co-hosting "The Phil Vischer Podcast", now rebranded "The Holy Post." One of the things that Skye does is write a daily devotional, "With God Daily". This week he has been writing about the idol of Missionalism and his words yesterday really hit home.
I’ve already quoted Tim Keller a number of times in this series on idolatry, but it’s worth repeating his very helpful definition. He said, “An idol us usually a very good thing that we make into an ultimate thing.” That certainly applies to the church’s favorite idol—the mission of God. The goodness of God’s mission in the world is beyond argument. The reconciliation of all things to him through the cross is a beautiful and inspiring message, and that he invites us to participate in this work is stunning. The mission of God is a very, very good thing.
But it is not the ultimate thing.
It too can be twisted into an idol that we value more than God himself. Sadly, in our efforts to elevate the goodness and importance of God’s mission we can unknowingly turn it into a false god that comes to define our lives and value. It’s especially tempting to those within Christian communities who long for significance. The best way to be affirmed in many churches is to devote yourself to Christ’s mission. After all, accomplishing great things forGod is much easier to see and celebrate than developing a deep life withhim.
Gordon MacDonald coined a term for this temptation and the idol it creates. He calls it “missionalism.” It is “the belief that the worth of one’s life is determined by the achievement of a grand objective.” He continues:
“Missionalism starts slowly and gains a foothold in the leader's attitude. Before long the mission controls almost everything: time, relationships, health, spiritual depth, ethics, and convictions. In advanced stages, missionalism means doing whatever it takes to solve the problem. In its worst iteration, the end always justifies the means. The family goes; health is sacrificed; integrity is jeopardized; God-connection is limited.”
Ultimately, missionalism is rooted in the lie that your worth is proportional to your impact. It’s a lie that the church often celebrates, but our Lord never does.
