This guest post is written by Debbie Hopper who oversees our women’s ministry at Seacoast. I work alongside Debbie and can say with confidence that she lives what she teaches. She is a phenomenal woman and I think you’ll enjoy her insights in this post. You can check out Debbie’s blog at www.debhopper.com or follow her on Twitter @debhopper.
There’s a leadership principle you may have heard of, but I find it helpful to review from time to time. I first read about it in John Ortberg’s book “It All Goes back in the Box”. Then after a little research, found out that he had written an entire book on this subject: “Overcoming Your Shadow Mission”.
John Ortberg tells us that beneath our mission for God lies our Shadow mission. All Christians have one. Some give in to it, some don’t, but it lurks beneath the surface. A shadow mission is something that is deeply important to us, but leads us away from God’s purpose for our lives. It’s typically just a few degrees off from His will, but those few degrees can lead us far from Him. Our unplanned, involuntary thoughts and wishes will spring out of it. Noble missions will give rise to noble thoughts, but shadow missions are usually driven by some area of brokenness or bondage. Here are a few driving factors:
- Fear of failure.
- Fear of disappointment
- Fear of criticism
Still not understanding exactly what this looks likes? Here are a few biblical examples of people who stood firm against their shadow mission:
Moses – a great shepherd in Midian, but knew he was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt
Joseph – Dream Interpretation – could have been the ‘best of the best’ but did not let that gifting distract him from his real mission – emancipating God’s people.
Ruth – refused to abandon her mother-in-law even though she could have pursued security and familiarity by returning home.
Mary, the mother of Jesus – Her great response – “May it be to me according to your Word.” Luke 1:38, meant she surrendered all dreams of a normal family life and her respected reputation.
Are you getting the picture? Sometimes a person’s Shadow Mission can lead to destruction, but other times it just keeps them from accomplishing something great for God. I don’t know about you, but some of these examples really got me thinking…I don’t want anything standing in the way of what God has for me to accomplish. So how do we identify our Shadow Mission? I’m glad you asked!
Before you try to name your shadow mission it’s a good idea to sit quietly for a while. Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes, for God will give wisdom to those who ask for it. James 1:5
Think back on the past. Ask: When have I failed? When have I felt shame? When have I accomplished something and then felt empty? Write down your reflections. Pray more. Then run it past a Mordecai in your life – someone who knows you well – to see if they see this in you as well. Let’s press on to whatever it is that God has called you to do, that no one else can do. Don’t let ‘Good’ get in the way of ‘Great’!
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
