Are you living like the Blues Brothers?

“We’re on a mission from God,”  Ellwood proclaimed.

My wife had a “little job” for me the other day…

I did not want to do it.

I could think of all kinds of excuses…

I was busy…

I had other plans…

“Important” plans.

And besides if I didn’t get it done, I could always tell her…

“I ran out of gas.

I had a flat tire.

I didn’t have enough money for cab fare.

My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners.

An old friend came in from out of town.

Someone stole my car.

There was an earthquake.

A terrible flood.

Locusts.

It wasn’t my fault…” Jake-The Blues Brothers.

Eventually I did the job…

Not because I loved the task, but because I love her.

The Blues Brothers had all kinds of excuses…

But not for their mission from God…

They didn’t stop when they were chased by the police, attacked by the Illinois National Guard, or taken back to prison.

A mission from God …

Something we do out of love for Him…

How do we know if we are on a mission from God or just doing a job?

Read the quote below…

(It shows up all over the internet. I found it at appleseeds.org)

If you are doing it just because no one else will, it’s a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.

If you quit because someone criticized you, it’s a job.
If you keep on serving, it’s a ministry.

If you’ll do it as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it’s a job.
If you are committed to staying even if it means letting go of other things, it’s a ministry.

If you quit because no one thanked you or praised you, it’s a job.
If you stick with it even though no one recognized your efforts, it’s a ministry.

It’s hard to get excited about a job.
It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry.

If your concern is success, it’s a job.
If your concern is faithfulness and service, it’s a ministry.

If God calls you to a ministry, don’t treat it like a job!

Lord, strengthen your servants and
move us to a true sense of ministry and service,
through your grace and mercy. Amen.

Strengthen us indeed…

So we can say about our mission from God…

Here I am. Send me!  Isaiah 6:8

Or as the Blues Brothers put it…

 “106 miles to Chicago… It’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses. Hit it!”