When people first begin looking at living a missional life, many ask, “Where will I ever find the time to live this way?” But living missionally is not about adding more activities to your already busy schedule. It’s not about attending meetings or being involved in programs sponsored by the church.

Pursuing the mission of Jesus is about living intentionally as you follow Him out into the world in the places you already live, work, learn, and play.

You have many “missions” every day. You may set out on the “mission” of going to work to earn a living to sustain your family or going to the grocery store to replenish your food supply. Your “mission” might be a trip to the Doctor’s office, seeking to restore your health. What if you saw all these “missions” as the means to fulfill a greater mission?,

Hugh Halter writes:

“When I walk into Starbucks, I don’t think about coffee. That’s predetermined . . . tall black Americano. I ponder the lives of everyone I see. I wonder about their spiritual journeys, their highs and lows . . . and where they look for direction in their search. My initial assumption is that in any room full of people, very few know Christ. I ask myself how I could get into their lives or how a conversation might begin. I don’t see them as projects — that wouldn’t go very far. I see them as souls the Lord loves who simply haven’t seen or heard an accurate message about the Kingdom. I always feel confident that I may one day be talking with them about life and God. Oddly enough, this seems to happen all the time.”

As Jesus Went Along His Way

In his book Why Christians Sin, J.K. Johnson says, “Christ met unbelievers where they were” and points out that the gospels contain 122 stories of Jesus interacting with people in the everyday activities of life. As He went about his way, Jesus was looking for the people who lined the path of His journey. He found ways to link with them and extend God’s love to them.

As You Go Along Your Way

As you go about your everyday routines, see your lesser missions, all under the umbrella of Christ’s greater mission. John 7:38-39 tells us that the Holy Spirit flows from within believers as a life-giving river.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive…

This life-giving river is for those you encounter in the regular routines of your life. Go and be conscious of the Holy Spirit flowing from you in missional rhythms. 

• Look for people with whom you can link.
• Pay attention and really listen to them. Discover the areas of their life in which you can bless them.
• Look to see where the Father is working so you can join Him.
• Find ways to tangibly express the love of Christ to them.
• You will soon have to leave that encounter but the opportunities to link, listen, look, and love continue. 

What might it look like for you to consciously practice missional rhythms every day?