Jesus said to (Zacchaeus), “… the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 (NIV)

Even the Blues Brothers (one of my favorite all-time movies; 1980) were focused on their overriding mission: “We’re on a mission from God,” says Elwood. “We’re putting the band back together.”

Someone once said, “If you aim at nothing, you’re bound to hit it.” Jesus knew this more than anyone and taught it by example. “The Son of Man came,” He said, “to seek and to save what was lost.” Jesus had a mission. And when He said, “It is finished,” He was saying, “mission accomplished.”

There’s a reason Starbucks opens, on average, 5 new stores a day, 365 days a year. They know exactly why they exist. In fact, Starbucks President, Jim Alling, says, “It’s not a magic formula…it’s just who we are…and we live everyday by our Mission Statement and Guiding Principles.” Those easy-to-articulate-and-understand principles are written down in what Starbucks calls their “Green Apron Book” and given to every employee to memorize and practice.

Our “mission” begins with a strong conviction on an individual level. Our “Green Apron Book” is the Bible.  Our “mission from God”?  “Love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love one another…” (cf. Matthew 22:37-40)

Soli Deo Gloria, Nick