An Ultimate Mission and a “Meanwhile” Mission
We really have a good time with our Little Hands Preschool on Thursdays. The children are so fun to be around. They love being here! They are always so excited to learn new things and do so many activities. Former students have come back to visit from time to time and talk about our school. One child was talking about Kindergarten and comparing it to what he enjoyed here. “My school does not have kitchen time or craft time! And, they don’t ever have Bible time and singing!” They just love these things.
There are other things we do in preschool that they don’t seem to get as excited about. Most of those things, as you would suppose, have to do with disciplinary issues. One of those is walking in a line to the classes.
The teachers lead the kids to the various classes by having them follow along in a line. Now kids will be kids and they don’t really pay attention to the line concept as well as they maybe should. They are easily distracted and veer away. Some even get out of line intentionally. They are not malicious; they are just a little mischievous.
Following is not always easy. Distraction, mischievousness, and laziness are challenges to anyone who is supposed to be following. Following is a decision that requires determination, resolve, attention, and precision. It is not following if you are being dragged along. It is not following if you are being driven from behind. Following is submission to a leader.
Jesus exemplified the mission of submission. We see this very early in His childhood with the incident of Jesus remaining behind in the temple when His parents had started the return trip home. They had gone to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of the Passover.
On their way home when they finally realized Jesus was not with them, His parents returned to look for Him. In their encounter with Jeus in the temple, we see His understanding of His ultimate mission. “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). The next thing we read shows us His understanding of His “meanwhile” mission. “Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them…” (Luke 2:51).
Jesus’ ultimate mission is also our ultimate mission. Paul told the Corinthians this, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens…Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God…” (II Corinthians 5:1, 5). God has made all the necessary preparations for us to be with Him. He does not want anyone to miss that opportunity (II Peter 3:9).
Jesus’ “meanwhile” mission is also our “meanwhile” mission. When He returned with His parents, Jesus showed that His “meanwhile” mission was a part of His ultimate mission. Our ultimate mission and our “meanwhile” mission are inextricably connected. We cannot think that we are submissive to God and looking forward to eternity with Him if we are not in compliance with our “meanwhile” mission wherever we find it.
— Mike Johnson
