Discovering Your Mission

Matthew 16:26: “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

Bill Haber was once one of the most powerful people in Hollywood. For 30 years, his life consisted of making and breaking the careers of movie stars, and he did his job well.

Then, in 1995, Haber left Hollywood and migrated to the nonprofit organization “Save The Children”where he supervised 4,000 employees in 41 countries. He left behind the glitz and glamor of Hollywood for the day-in-day-out realities of starving kids.

Why would he make such a move? Simple. He says “you only live once, and I wanted to work with children.”

He realized that wealth and power aren’t all they are cracked up to be, and when confronted with a chance to make a lasting difference in people’s lives, he couldn’t afford to let the opportunity pass.

We are all in need for significance that no amount of “success” can fulfill. Sadly, too many people never recognize this. They spend their lives struggling with their career and lives, and never discover their mission. This is what Jesus referred to when he said to His followers “what good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

Bill Haber says that nobody in Hollywood thought he was crazy doing what he did. In fact, several made the comment “I wish I could do that.”

Funny they would say that. The fact is, anyone at any time can do what Bill Haber did. Jesus has given us all an invitation to abandon the building of our own little kingdoms, and join with Him and the body of Christ in building His eternal kingdom, right here and now.

It isn’t nearly as hard as we might imagine. It begins with asking ourselves “what am I doing to make a difference?” The first step may be to go to your pastor and ask him if your church supports foreign mission projects or missionaries and that you want to be part of it. Perhaps you could mentor a young person, serve at a food pantry, teach a Bible study, or disciple a new believer. It can lead to something greater than we could obtain from a career alone. It can lead us to discover our mission.

Jesus said “whoever loses his life will find it. (Matt. 16:25)” May we all experience the joy of losing ourselves, and finding ourselves as we serve with Jesus.

Lee Eads

Church of the Nazarene