What's Next?Sample

What’s Next: Journeying with Jesus in Missions

The first recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of John are these: “What are you seeking?” (John 1: 38)  

Imagine the scene and place yourself in it: 

You are in the desert listening to a firebrand of a preacher clothed in camel skins who speaks of the way of life and the coming judgment. You are enraptured by the unwavering conviction of this preacher and feel a stirring in yourself that something new and exciting is unfolding right in front of you. You feel your heart beating quickly in your chest and the hair on your body stands on end.  

And then John the Baptizer looks directly at you, eyes aflame, and pointing to the other side of the river from where he stands says: 

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”  

And at that moment, you know, that you know, that the man on the far shore will change your life forever.

Weak in the knees, you cross the river to follow the man. And then Jesus turns to you and asks the question whose answer will set the course of your life from this day forward: 

“What are you seeking?”

What do you say to these words that speak to the innermost desires of your soul? He is the one who can lead you on a journey of life full of abundance and joy. You know that even if sorrow and desolation await you, the journey of knowing Jesus and being known by Him is the only life worth living.

As you prepare for a life on mission with Jesus, you will be asking with excitement and joy the question of “what’s next?” 

And Jesus’ question back to you is “what are you seeking?”  

For what you set your desires on, that is what you’ll find. If you are seeking adventure, you will find an adventure that satisfies your soul for a time. But if you are seeking to know the God of the universe who fills all things with his glory, you will find adventure with no end. 

You will find yourself on a journey with Jesus and with a people filled with hope. You will find life everlasting that is not reserved for heaven, but that begins now as your desires are transformed.  

As you turn your face to Jesus, the things of this world will become brighter and full of meaning.

In John chapter 1, the followers that Jesus asks that most insightful question ask only to come and stay with Him (John 1: 38).  

Their greatest desire is to be with Jesus; to learn from him and know him because they understand that the great plan unfolding in their lives is not about a program, or a trip, or an event, but in knowing the Christ and the Father who sent Him into the world. 

The disciples who Jesus called to him that day in Palestine went on to change the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. By receiving Jesus’ love through success and failure, loyalty and abandonment, they were able to share Christ’s redeeming love throughout the world.

As you prepare for what’s next, express the desires of your heart to Jesus and accept his invitation to join Him on the journey through death to life.  

We want to thank Martin Rhodes, Discipleship Ministries Coach with VMMissions for contributing this day's plan content.