With the seventh Mission Impossible movie coming out soon, I want to talk about the power of living life on a mission. (Cue the Mission Impossible theme music… dun dun da DA). If I were to ask you, “What is your life’s mission?” how would you answer? I have observed people in many challenging situations over the years, major health issues, devastating loss and suffering, heartbreak, and sadness or worry. Whether sitting ‘ring side’ watching, or personally participating in all these challenges in human life, I have seen a power source that carries people through these times… I believe that the idea that our life has a mission brings resilience, perseverance, and determination.
What does it mean to have a mission? Like in the Mission Impossible stories, the characters caught up in the story have an overarching focus on what their daily life direction is about. Emotions are engaged, physical strength is pushed to the limit as new limits are found, and imagination works overtime solving problems, finding a way around, through, or over the challenge at hand. The whole being is aligned to the mission and, until the mission is complete, there is no other use of our human resources.
To have a life mission means to have an internal purpose. To be focusing on completing your life mission helps give direction to every decision, every effort, and every minute. As a parent, what is your life mission? Do your children see you modelling your mission and making intentional decisions that help you fulfill that life mission?
For students, I believe finding their mission early in life will make their future an adventure. I encourage you to ask your child how they continue to fulfill their mission when unexpected challenges arise. I know our energy will feel spent at times, the mission will call you to go further than you thought you could. But I would like to encourage every individual in our community to find and refine their personal life mission, once found, all of life can then flow in its service and completion. The following is a great place to start looking, so here is your mission… “if you choose to accept it”! (cue music)…
The Lord has told you what is good. He has told you what he wants from you: Do what is right to one another, love being kind to others. And live humbly, trusting your God. Micah 6:8.
Peter Chase
College Chaplain • Pastoral Care
