Sent

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me". John 8:42.

The moment you realize and acknowledge the fact that you are not here on earth running your own personal errands and living your own life, your life will change. There is a huge difference between someone who goes to the UK to study, the Kenyan ambassador to the UK. One has sent themselves, and are about their business, while the other has been sent by the nation, and this one's life in the UK revolves about the nation's business, the commissioner. The one who has gone out to study has the liberty to be absorbed by the culture of the hosting nation, and even be changed to be a citizen of the nation, but an ambassador does not have that liberty or privilege. 

Jesus kept acknowledging in His life that He did not come on His own accord, but was sent by God. This caused Him to live differently from others in His time. Because Jesus understood where He was from, why He was on earth and what He came to do, He remained focused. Many believers nowadays do not understand that they are on a mission, just like Jesus. He said, "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." John 17:18. Just as Jesus was sent, He sent you, into the world. You are an ambassador of the kingdom of heaven, here on earth. This is why Paul said, "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20. You, just like Jesus, are in this world, yet not of this world. Jesus said of Himself: "And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world."" Jn. 8:23. As He was about to leave earth, in His prayer, He said, "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world... They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." Jn. 17:14-16. So, brethren, you are not of this world. This is what John the Baptist says, concerning those who are not of this world: "He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony." Jn. 3:31-32. 

Being from above, you are above all, and your speech should be heavenly. You should be testifying of what you have seen from your Father, and heard from Him, just like Jesus. Paul added and said, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." Col. 3:1-2. Your mind, speech, actions and lifestyle should be one that reflects that of a sent one, just like Jesus'. Ambassadors do not compete with locals, neither do they compare themselves with them, waste time, lose focus, talk, think and live like them. Ambassadors are focused on their mission and commission, and set their mind on their goals. They do not lose touch with where they are from, nor ever forget their identity. As an ambassador of the kingdom, do not meddle with the affairs of this world; do not compete or compare yourself with the locals of this world, or even with fellow ambassadors; your specific mission and assignment is different, depending on how God wired you. Do not lose communication with your Commissioner. The more you communicate with Him and set your focus on your mission, the more you will become effective, here on earth, and fulfill your purpose. 

Whenever you wake up in the morning, ask your Commissioner, Jesus, what you are supposed to do. Let Him keep reminding you of your purpose, and showing you how to fulfill it, and how to live, here on earth. Your purpose is not to get educated, employed, get married and have children, quit and start your company, heap up money and property, die and go to heaven. Those may be part of your journey, but God commissioned you for a greater purpose, for which He alone knows, and is willing to reveal to you. Any ambassador who does not know their purpose is not of much use to their commissioners or country they come from. Many believers do not know why God called and sent them, and for this reason, they are not of much use for the Kingdom! Tough, but true. We are supposed to be multiplying and being fruitful, as that is why we were restored back to God's original purpose for man (Gen. 1:28). We are supposed to make disciples of all nations, using the giftings and talents God gave us. 

A sent one knows:

• They are going to a specific place. Our commission is to go into the whole world (Mk. 16:15, Matt. 28:18, Jn. 17:18), starting with our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the world (Acts 1:8).
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• They are going to do a specific thing. Our commission is to make all disciples of all nations, heal the sick, cast out demons, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and oppressed, etc. (Matt. 28:18-20, Mk. 16:17-18, Lk. 4:18-19, Jn. 14:12)
  
• They are going to be there for a specific time, and there is no much time. This is why Paul said, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17.
  
• They are qualified, empowered and know how to do what they were sent to do. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." 1 Pet. 2:9-10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:10
  
• The whole nation counts on them. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." Heb. 12:1
  
• They are the link between the nation they are living in, and the nation they represent. "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,  ... Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:18-20.

Are you living like an ambassador on mission, or like one who forgot their commission and purpose for being sent, and has been swallowed by the affairs of the hosting nation, conformed to the patterns and demands of the world? No matter how many demands arise on the country they were commissioned to, ambassadors remain focused on their purpose and mission. No matter how many demands the world will have on you, do not let them distract you from your purpose and mission, and that is the only way you will fulfill your God-sent and God-given assignment. You do this by fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, knowing there is a great crowd of witnesses cheering you on, as you remain on a mission (Heb. 12:2). You do it by fixing your mind on things above, where you are from, and not on the things of the earth. 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2.

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:3-6. 

Blessings.