Personal mission statements help us define our purpose in life. As Christians, this is important because it helps keep us on track for living out our days intentionally for the Lord. As busy wives, moms, and career women, we know how easy it is to get caught up in the daily mundane and feel that we’re failing. A solid mission statement can help remind us, even on the most boring of days, that we’re still accomplishing our life’s ultimate purpose in Christ—even if all we’re doing is making sandwiches, cleaning a mess, inputting data entry, or baking a cake.
A quality mission statement also helps define who you are for other people’s sake and understanding. In our world of technology, this can be extra helpful to put on social media pages, websites, business cards, or resumes. Whether we’re advertising a business or a service or simply presenting a testimony, we’re putting forth a solid example of who we are, what we’re about, and what inspires us—the Lord.
Why bother? Because putting thoughts to paper is a powerful process. When something is written down, it automatically tends to hold more merit and conviction. That’s why professionals encourage people to write down their New Year’s resolutions or their yearly goals—because one is much more likely to achieve them when they’re written on paper rather than floating around one’s head.
Summed up, a mission statement is simply a brief definition of who you are, what you stand for, what you value, and how you desire to live your life. Another benefit is that a written statement can help guide you, so you’re able to better evaluate whether an opportunity is going to distract you from your ultimate goals. It can help motivate you to say “yes” to things that matter, and “no” to invitations that will drain you and not be productive toward the bigger picture.
We’re only given so much time on this earth. Being able to choose where we spend our time with purpose is just one of the ways we can best glorify God with the unique talents and gifts in which He’s equipped us.
Here are six steps for crafting a mission statement for your life.
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1. Be Intentional
It’s easy to create a mission statement — it is much harder to create one that really narrows down and specifies what you’re about and what truly matters to you. What is important to you? What brings you passion? What brings you joy? Begin your process of crafting your life's mission statement by making a list of these items. Don’t worry about whether they mesh or flow just yet. First, simply jot them down so you can see them on paper. You might be surprised how many things in life really do connect when we view them from a different perspective.
Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” Ultimately, as believers, we know that no matter what we write down or plan, God’s purposes will prevail. We should find great comfort in this biblical truth—namely, we won’t mess it up! (whew)
2. Be Succinct
Keep your mission statement short and to the point. It should be something you could easily share as a one or two-sentence statement on a webpage or business card, if necessary. Typically, these summaries are anywhere from one to three sentences long. It also needs to be something easily stated verbally, in case you’re ever in a position to share it in person. Also, if you have it memorized, it will help you make choices accordingly as they present themselves to you, without having to go scramble for your written statement.
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3. Pray
The most important thing you can do when preparing your mission statement is to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you develop this for your life. Ask Him what He thinks! You might think God isn’t worried about something this small, but you’d be mistaken.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7 ESV)
God is involved in the details of our lives. If He’s aware of the number of hairs on my head, I’m certain He’s aware of the choices I make and the ways I strive to bring Him glory — and He cares. So talk to him about it first.
4. Ask Others
After you ask the Lord for guidance, don’t be afraid to ask those closest to you next. Ask your best friends, prayer partners, or accountability group members what you represent to them. When they think of you, what words come to mind? Maybe “passionate,” or “fierce,” or “kind.” Maybe they think of you when they hear the word “generous,” or “protective,” or “guardian.” Ask your friends and family what are you already naturally good at, or already naturally gifted toward? You might know these things for yourself, but it never hurts to get feedback.
We tend to see ourselves differently—usually negatively—than those in our circle see us. You might have a leaning toward a certain trait or passion that you don’t even recognize because of fear or insecurity holding you back. You can use this kind of healthy feedback from others to help shape your statement. Of course, if the feedback doesn’t ring true to you, don’t try to force it or feel obligated to incorporate it. But those closest to you should be able to help point out some elements of you and your life that maybe you’ve failed to see.
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5. Be Flexible
We’re always growing and learning as we navigate our way through life. There might be experiences in your life that you haven’t lived yet that could later change what you’re most passionate about. For example, before my divorce, I didn’t have a heart for seeing women whole and restored in Christ. But now I do! Now, I love speaking to divorcees and helping them find wholeness in Jesus. I find great joy in helping abandoned or divorced women recognize all the ways that the Maker is their Husband (Isaiah 54:5). The Lord often gives us new or adjusted missions based on what we’ve overcome with and through Him. So be flexible, and don’t hesitate to check in with the Holy Spirit every so often on where your mission statement might need adjusting or tweaking.
6. Center on the Word
The most important element of our mission statement is that it should be fully aligned with God’s Word. We know the Holy Spirit never speaks to us in a way that contradicts the Bible. In the same sense, your mission statement should accurately reflect the Christian life.
At the end of the day, regardless of how well-crafted our statement is or how catchy it might sound, we know that God has the final say over our plans and steps. He is sovereign, and our greatest purpose on earth is to bring Him glory. This might look different for all of us in different stages of life—for some, it’s preaching and teaching the Word from a platform. For others, it’s raising babies to the glory of God. For others, it’s living a life of freedom from addiction and showing how the Lord helped them overcome. Maybe it’s ministering to those who have been wounded by divorce, maybe it’s writing poetry or short stories, or creating beautiful works of art or music.
Regardless of the specifics, we know from the Bible that God has equipped us to accomplish these purposes and have planned them from before time began. What a relief! What a gift!
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)
“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.” (Isaiah 46: 8-11 ESV)
We know that no matter how our mission statement is worded or how often it might change, we can rest in the knowledge that God’s purposes for us will always prevail.
Soli Deo glori
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Zbynek Pospisil
Originally published Tuesday, 11 May 2021.
