And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

   - Matthew 4.23

A faithful minister of God, and a splendid messenger, he gave to the good the example and form of an apostle, preaching to the people of God with both words and deeds so that he might with a good act inspire the one whom his words did not move.

  - Domnach Sechnall, Audite Omnes Amantes, Irish, 5th century

Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you” (Jn. 20.21). We have been sent into our own Personal Mission Field to live as Jesus did – as Patrick did.

The people we see each day, day-in and day-out, need the grace of God. They need to know His love and forgiveness, and His power to bring new life into even their most mundane experiences. And God has sent us to them as emissaries of grace and truth, sent by Jesus like Jesus to win them to God by good words and good works.

Patrick’s mission to Ireland succeeded in large part because he kept such a good balance between these two forms of witness. He taught people literacy, advised rulers, cared for the sick and outcast, showed mercy to the downtrodden, bought slaves into freedom, and always – always – brought the message of grace and truth through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In other words, He did what Jesus did, because he knew that he had been sent to Ireland in the same way Jesus was sent to earth.

If we know our Personal Mission Field and are beginning to know and care for the people we encounter there, it’s just a matter of prayer, waiting on the Lord, looking for open doors of opportunity, and being wise as serpents and harmless as doves as we speak and do for others what grace and truth require.

But if we aren’t even thinking about this, preparing for it, planning for it, and having others to encourage and support us in our mission, how will we ever follow in the steps of Jesus?

Perhaps it’s time to give a bit more focus to where the Lord Jesus has sent you in His Name?

Psalm 28.8, 9 (Angel’s Story: “O Jesus, I Have Promised”)
Our strength are You, O Savior, our strong defense and sure;
Anointed with Your favor, we rest in You secure.
Save us, and bless us, Jesus, upon us turn Your face;
With shepherd’s care, Lord, keep us forever in Your grace.

Lord, help me this day to begin being more faithful in seeking, serving, and loving others, just as You did when You walked among us.