“Jesus wants each of us “out there” going into “all the world” to engage in a high-risk, high-reward lifestyle to extend His kingdom on earth. He is calling and commissioning us not to retreat to safe havens but to permeate and transform every sphere into which He sends us–clothed not in our own strength but His.”
John D. Beckett in Mastering Monday: A Guide to Integrating Faith and Work (Downers Grove: IVP, 2006) 202.
Coming out of my meetings last week with the Kern Foundation regarding the integration of faith, work and economics, and my teaching at TEDS, two things have become clear to me that surface in this quote from Bev Callison, a panelist who spoke to my class on Saturday.
First, we must all obey the call of Jesus to permeate all spheres in the world, regardless of our occupation, taking our Sunday faith to work with us on Monday. Second, we must rely on His strength and ongoing sustenance every step of the way so that in whatever circles God leads us, we are the fragrant aroma of Christ and agents of Kingdom transformation.