Sunday Highlights – Wilson’s Back

Pete was back today after taking a few weeks off from teaching.  He was fired up and delivered a really challenging message about the life of Esther.

Hope you enjoy my notes.

We were all created for a reason, a purpose.

If you don’t embrace your God-given mission, you’ll end up following a shadow mission – a dark, selfish mission.

Esther 1:10-12

Esther’s story is kind of like “The Bachelor Middle East”

Esther 2:12-13

Esther 3:1-2, 5-6

The dream of the people of God was in Esther’s hands.  Esther was brought to this point to be a part of God’s plan.  She could have been tempted toward a shadow mission.

3 Shadow Missions that we can wrestle with:

• Centered on performance (what you achieve)
• Centered on possession (comparison)
• Centered on popularity (what other people think about you)

Avoiding shadow missions means you have to find a way to distinguish between your true self and your false self.  Separate who God has uniquely made you to be and what he has called you to do.

Differentiation – the ability to define life’s goals and values apart from the pressure of those around you.

Until you find your true identity in the person of Jesus Christ, you will always drift toward your shadow mission.

As long as you think you have another hope other than God, you will never find your God-given mission.

Esther 4:16

Esther did not settle for less than what God called her to do.

What’s your shadow mission?  What does your life become about when you drift?  Money?  Power?  Beauty?  Looking like you have it all together?  People pleasing?

Wake up!  Stop chasing your shadow mission!  God brought you to this moment in time for a reason and purpose.  He wants to use you.  God wants to use your life to bring about redemption in this world.

The biggest fear I have for your life is that you’re going to get busy and distracted and settle for a mediocre life and you won’t make the God-given difference that He wants you to make.

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Seriously, I know I’ll be taking some time to evaluate what the shadow mission is in my life and what God’s purpose is for my life.  I hope you’ll do the same.