Welcome to the Duke Memorial Mission blog! Our mission theme this year is based on Micah 6:8: "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your god?" Here is a bit about why we chose this mission theme and what you can expect this year.
As Christians we often ask, “What does the Lord require of us?” The question can solicit a variety of responses. For some, it can prompt an enthusiastic readiness to do the right thing. Others brace themselves for a burdensome laundry list of requirements. But God wants something different than following a list of things to do. God wants us to walk alongside him as he carries out his mission in this world.
When the prophet Micah poses this question, he shows how God’s requirements are profound, yet simple. They are a high calling, yet they are accessible to all. They require us to give our lives, yet they are life-giving. They do not overwhelm us, yet they certainly do not bore us. They tell us to do something, yet they are grounded in what God is doing.
In the previous verses, the prophet ponders a response to the question that’s similar to what is often our own – he makes it more complicated than it needs to be. In verses 6-7, he contemplates, “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
Then, in a moment of clarity, Micah remembers that he already has the answer. The answer is this: Let your whole life belong to God. Let your actions (do justice), your heart (love kindness), and your daily life (walk humbly) be surrendered to what God is doing. Mission is not a one-time, sensational event; it’s an ever-deepening journey of joining God in God’s purposes in this world.
Our mission theme this year is based on Micah 6:8 to remind us that mission is for everyone. God calls everyone to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. So if you haven’t been involved in mission, discover God’s mission by taking the first step. Visit our website to see the many ways to get involved. And whether you’re new to mission or a long-time journeyer, seek to grow this year. Visit our GROW page to see how you might grow in your mission this year. We hope this blog will be a place for growth where you can read, write, and dialogue about the who, what, and why of mission. It will feature upcoming events, reflections, and people who are involved in mission. We also want you to share two things with us on our SHARE page: If you are involved in mission outside of Duke Memorial, share your story. If you have a passion for something and no outlet to get involved, share your vision!
It's a gift to be on this journey together. Let's see what God has in store for us this year!
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