It’s tempting to live very individualistic lives even within the same family – everyone looking out for their own interests while just happening to share domestic resources along the way. But perhaps God has brought the members of our family together for more than this. And it’s the job of leadership to discern this purpose and cast a compelling vision for the rest to follow.
What is the purpose of our family? Why has God brought us together? And how are we to serve our generation through our life together?
A family mission typically builds on the mission of a marriage, which usually builds on the individual missions of the husband and wife. For instance, Adam was formed and given a purpose before Eve. And Eve then joined this mission with her own glory and they became partners in caring for the garden. Their children then participated in this mission – carrying it on in their own unique ways into the next generation.
We must first recognize who God has called us to be and the work he has called us do. This allows us to then invite our wife into a shared mission together. And our marriage then sets the missional foundation for our family.
This mission shapes the culture of our home. Whether we’re the butcher, baker, or candlestick maker – this is what we do; this is who we are. Of course, this goes deeper than any particular job. For example, we might be a family of Healers, but each individual might express this in his own way – maybe as a doctor, teacher, musician, or the like. While the gifts vary, the family bond and mission is still one of bringing wholeness to broken places.
Whatever it looks like, our shared mission allows us to accomplish more together than we could apart.
What is the mission of your family? How is God using the diverse gifts of each member to come together and advance his kingdom of light?
