Sometimes, I just have to start laughing at the absurdity of it all.

While I grew up from early teen years with the sense of finding purpose and meaning in my life … something that many of my age-group peers were not particularly interested in considering … the target remained allusive.

In other words, the voice in my head was persistent in the background that I was destined to some kind of journey of discovery. (This was the basis of my thematic autobiography, written three years ago.) But I constantly ran into kinds of roadblocks when what I thought was the target of this compulsion proved ephemeral.

I have written extensively on purpose and meaning … the corner stones of all human endeavors. Even people who do not reflect on these things do, in fact, live by them. For me and for many whom I know well, these concepts are fundamental and openly considered and discussed.

But what’s the point?

For purpose and meaning without action are mere philosophy.

One can gaze at one’s navel or try to unwrap the Zen koan of one hand clapping or meditate upon a candle with the mere objective of losing oneself in the great and vast universe. But, to what end?

My commitment to The Search clouded my perspective and confused the voices in my head. I did understand that I was called to service in the cause of improving the lives of children. And that service was built around a belief that good intentions by conscientious adults could make a lasting impression on soon-to-be adults.

I know many such adults who do not share my core beliefs as they’ve evolved over the last two decades who are wonderful examples of what I just described.

But something has changed and that is with respect to the fundamental target.

The laughing part is that, now, I believe I am a missionary.

At one level, this is not a surprise. I was on mission in a sense for all of those years when I taught in the classroom and led large educational institutions. (I’ve reflected more than a few times that I became the principal of a high school named Mission Hills.)

But the mission has shifted just as the target has shifted. Not by much but just enough. There is now a North Star that beckons like a tractor beam. Navigation is much clearer.

I don’t just have purpose and meaning in my life. I have, in addition, a “mission statement,” a constitution of sorts, a vision of how to live out purpose and meaning. The long march through searching has changed from shifting sands to a foundation of solid rock. 

In a loose sense, the job of a missionary is to be on constant mission. And, while non-Christians and even Christians may picture a missionary as someone engaged in the jungles of Borneo or in the hot and arid lands of Africa, seeking to convert lost souls, this isn’t the whole story.

As one who firmly believes the overarching Christian narrative to be completely true (the evidence of which I have repeatedly presented on this site), my “job” as a committed follower of the risen Lord, Jesus, is to partner with him to help restore a broken creation.

Many Christians will recognize one of my titles: The adopted son of the King. That means I’ve been admitted by grace into God’s family, and I get to participate in the family business.

That business is the basis of my mission and as one who should be on mission (living out purpose) each day, that makes me a missionary.

So, what does that even look like? Especially when I do not feel the call to travel overseas for lengths of time to seek out lost souls.

(For purpose of clarification, I have absolutely no problem with claiming that there are many billions of humans who possess lost souls. In fact, that’s the main reason Jesus arrived on the scene two millennia ago. Such a concept can be considered antagonistic in a society that defines freedom in terms of relative truth. How dare you say that I can be or will be “lost” for all of eternity? And, while this may not be my own overt form of dialogue with those who do not share my beliefs, it’s still a motivating factor, make no mistake. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost and now am found, was blind but now I see.)

My mission is a product of God’s primary character: He is fully both Truth and Love. As a consequence, I need to boldly speak the truth and to act out of love.

These require risk as opposed to complacency. It is not for me to park myself on the sidelines. As this pathway has become clearer, I find myself reaching out to strangers in all sorts of places, seeking to find common ground and to let them know I “see” them. Affirm those who are typically invisible to most people, those who work in mundane jobs where they perform tasks for the general public and who receive very little authentic appreciation.

Also, many years ago, I realized I had been given several “spiritual gifts,” which are kind of like supernaturally charged innate skills. These are expressed as abilities that blossom out of deep places and are expressed through relationships with others. Two of mine are teaching and leadership, activities that I’m engaged in almost all of the time. I also relish the deep conversations with fellow believers as we walk hand-in-hand on a pilgrimage into eternity.

So, I pray nearly every day that God shows me someone whose life I can bless, especially those new to me. I also pray that God grants me the eyes to see others as he sees them, the heart to feel towards them as he does and the hands and feet to carry out his will, that they may flourish and live fully in the reality of his reign and rule.

All easier said than done. I always fall well short. However, at times I am stunned by his provision as opportunities abound that I would easily have missed a while back. 

So, whether based at home in San Diego … whether within a community of believers or out and about in all the grand diversity of humanity … whether while traveling through campgrounds or on ships of hundreds or thousands crossing vast oceans … I seek to be a missionary in God’s army … living boldly, speaking clearly, seeking redemption and renewal in the hearts and minds of others as I have received in ways beyond compare. May they all experience the love of Christ as something almost unimaginable in its boundless power and have eyes anew to see all of reality as it was originally intended.

For it is glorious.

For those of you reading this, I ask for your prayers that I can continue on mission, as a missionary helping to carry out God’s will. Thank you.

Blessings,

Brad