{"id":3197,"date":"2023-09-04T01:23:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T07:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/066AB047-C131-4EEC-B27E-205FF6642331"},"modified":"2023-10-13T16:08:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T22:08:13","slug":"to-boldly-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boundless.org\/adulthood\/to-boldly-go\/","title":{"rendered":"To Boldly Go …"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back in the 1960s, President Kennedy\u2019s challenge to put a man on the moon set America off on perhaps its boldest mission ever. The project cost billions of dollars, involved thousands of men and women, and took nearly a decade to complete. Amazingly, NASA built the whole mission on a simple seven-word statement: \u201dPerform manned lunar landing and return safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mission to the moon also spawned many inventions that proved to be valuable beyond space. For instance, the powder drink NASA developed for the astronauts grew to be a big hit for kids when packaged as Tang. It\u2019s crazy to think about, but NASA could have stopped and said, \u201cWe have a good thing here; let\u2019s scrap the whole moon voyage and just start marketing this stuff.\u201d Fortunately, their mission statement kept them focused on the bigger prize.<\/p>\n

It takes faith to believe it, but I\u2019m convinced God created each of us to complete a bold mission. Sadly, many of us settle for marketing Tang when we have a moon to land on.<\/p>\n

Life management guru Stephen Covey says people who don\u2019t take responsibility for the direction of their life aren\u2019t living \u2014 they are \u201cbeing lived.\u201d Without a vision, we tend to drift. The expectations of our friends, parents, professors, or even popular culture can trump the unique mission God has for us.<\/p>\n

A mission statement is vital for anyone who wants to make the most of their hungry years \u2014 that season during your 20s when you\u2019re simultaneously trying to get established and getting ready to change the world.<\/p>\n

Writing a Mission Statement<\/h4>\n

Maybe you see the value in having a mission statement, but had a bad experience with the process of writing one. Maybe you were once forced against your will to compose something under the tutelage of some New Age type who tried to inspire you with her own statement that referred to planetary alignment and the Age of Aquarius.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the exercise of writing and living a mission statement has often been hijacked by people who believe we have to create our own meaning in life. The best they can do in their efforts is offer platitudes steeped in self-discovery and do-goodism.<\/p>\n

For a follower of Christ, mission living goes far beyond trying in vain to do our best. Instead, it reflects the unlimited potential of a life submitted to God\u2019s sovereignty. The best biblical defense for a mission statement is Proverbs 29:19. The beginning of this Scripture is quoted frequently: \u201cWhere there is no vision, the people perish.\u201d But it\u2019s the end of this Scripture that grounds the vision. It reads: \u201cBut he that keeps the law, happy is he.\u201d Each of us will have unique elements, but the core of our mission statement is built on God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n

Drafting a simple statement founded on God\u2019s directions and promises can provide a powerful reminder of your higher purpose, helping you stay focused in your daily activities, relationships and big decisions.<\/p>\n

So how do you get started?<\/p>\n

First, you need a block of quiet and productive time. Go to your best thinking spot and spend time searching the Bible, praying and reflecting on the following questions:<\/p>\n