08.22.08
Shadow Mission?
I was reading my friend Bob East’s blog, Movin On where he talks about being missional and John Ortberg in the same post. The reference remindered me of a presentation that John Ortberg gave at the 2007 Willowcreek Leadership Summit last August. He talked about a concept he called one’s “shadow mission“. When he spoke about it, it really hit home with me and my own walk in relationship to God.
John Ortberg spoke about how everyone has a mission in life. As I thought about it I personally looked at it this way. When we are in relationship with God, He gives us opportunity to “join in his work” to quote Blackaby’s “Experiencing God”. Ortberg continued with an illustration about how one’s mission can be derailed. He said that many people think that when Satan seeks to thwart your godly mission that he tries to take us in the opposite direction. This, Ortberg said, could not be further from the truth. Often, Satan will take your godly mission and deflect it slightly. Just like archery or riflery, a small deflection can mean that you miss the target.
This bring Matthew 7:21-23 in focus quite well.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Ortberg said that in his case his mission is teaching and writing. However his shadow mission is seeking approval of others and seeking validation of his ministry through people. Ortberg made a chilling comment. If you do not know what your shadow mission is, then you are probably doing it. How about you?
