The life of a Sent One is characterized by motion: movement towards a predetermined target. No one ever sends themselves. We are sent on behalf of another to do their will and pleasure. That “Another” in the life of a disciple is Jesus. He determines the target. He is the Sender – we are the Sent Ones.
My desire as a Sent One is to always be prepared and in position to instantly obey Jesus. No excuses. And I want to help others position themselves to be sent anytime, anywhere. No limits.
Being in position and prepared means having no limitations, restraints or restrictions that could hold me back. In biblical vernacular limitations are referred to as weights or entanglements. The life of faith is depicted in the Bible as a race… a marathon race. As an athlete who understands how to train for endurance events, I know the liability of limitations. A limiter can be as simple as indigestion, a pair of ill-fitted shoes or a garment you need to shed before the race. Limiters can be a hundred different things that restrict your movement and hold you back from going when and where you are sent.
I have known many good-hearted, gifted and anointed people, with the best intentions, who are inhibited by limitations: many imposed by poor choices. If they had only received wise counsel before making important decisions that impact their future, things could have been different.
There are three important areas of life that can potentially limit us as we pursue the life of a Sent One.
The first is PHYSICAL. We need healthy bodies to move. Taking care of my body is essential not only because it is the temple of God, but it is the vehicle that takes me where I am sent. Athletes who compete at high levels know how important the proper diet, adequate exercise and a healthy attitude are to peak performance. Like everything else in our life, our physical and emotional health is a stewardship. Body and mind belong to the Lord. We maintain them as an act of worship.
Caring for our health is not only for our benefit, our physical condition can impact (limit) relationships in our life. I have many stories of how the physical limitations of one team member have hindered the effectiveness of a team mission. A Sent One is all about connecting with people to whom they are sent. I want to eliminate any barrier that would stand in the way of building bridges of relationship. So, get ready to leave the limits of your comfort zone😊
The second potential limitation is FINANCIAL. Just as we cannot go anywhere without our bodies, we can’t get to where we are sent without finances. It takes money to move – and lots of it. Our adversary, the devil, understands this which is why he attacks us in the area of finances. We are not ignorant of his devices. Our goal should be to live simply and debt free. Owe no many anything. This is a place of liberty. No financial encumbrance to hold us back or delay our moving in mission.
A Sent One operates in the realm of God’s Kingdom. He must know how to activate the laws of the Kingdom related to giving and receiving. In addition, he must understand and operate the principles of partnership. The Kingdom culture is contradictory to the world’s systems. We experience this pointedly in attitudes and actions related to finance. It is vital that we are grounded in God’s financial system.
Some of the most significant, consequential decisions we will make in our life involve finances, (buying a house, car, occupation, etc.). These are all decisions that should be made in light of God’s call and will for your life. Wise counsel from trusted, experienced and proven persons can certainly help position you in this area.
The third major area to eliminate limitations is RELATIONAL. We are created for relationship with others. Hopefully, most of our associations are life-giving, positive and empowering. I believe God has ordered relationships in our life to get us where He leads and provide us what we need. We need to cultivate those connections. However, the wrong relationship can dramatically alter the course of our life. Choose your associates wisely.
Jesus is the ultimate example of a Sent One. There were people placed in His path to dissuade and distract him: some who were closest to him like Peter; even His own family. We learn from Jesus how to handle these difficult encounters in a loving way even when we don’t know how others will react. The reality is, we may have to walk away from some relationships, regardless of history, intimacy or how painful it will be, because they limit us as we progress through life.
In Luke 9 Jesus speaks to His friends about the cost of being a disciple.
“Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Lk.9:59-62
Notice how the invitation to follow Him was met with an excuse. And the excuse used was relational. Whether we are asked to follow Jesus or are sent by Him, excuses become limitations. I will never allow a relationship to hinder my obedience to the Master Sender.
These are only three important areas of life that can be come limitations. There are more.
Let me leave you with one important lesson I have learned from 46 years in ministry as a Sent One: Identify people who are similarly called, gifted and already been where you are going; ask them anything and everything possible about how they progressed on their journey; follow any pertinent advice they offer and their godly example. Remain close to these people. They will help you go far beyond limits and finish strong.
