June 2

Matthew 10:5–6 (NIV)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

It wasn’t that the Gentiles or Samaritans wouldn’t receive the ministry of God, nor was it that Jesus wouldn’t interact with them or go through regions of Samaria or Gentile territories, this was an assignment, plain and simple. This is where Jesus wanted the disciples to go and this is where they were going to be anointed and blessed to carry out the things listed in the following verses.

It is too often that we are taken down life’s river at will of the river. Although some of us are not carried anywhere, we go places ourselves. For me this passage brings up the difference between seeing the need and ministering to it, and ministering with laser like focus on what God wants us to do. There are so many ministries, so much need, but what has God called us to? That obviously doesn’t mean that if we aren’t the janitor, that we wouldn’t pick up a piece of paper or dump a full trash can, but it does mean that we have to be intentional and focused about putting our resources (time, energy/effort, money) into our assignment. Distraction is one of the greatest enemies or our success and obedience. Minimize your distractions and get your assignment from the Lord – then do it with all your might!