Mission through God's Eyes
Have you ever stopped to wonder about the focus of Christ's mission or the possibility of seeing the world through God's eyes?
In 1894, the progressive growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia coincided with successful evangelistic programs in Melbourne and Sydney, first camp meetings, plans to find a new site for the school, the formation of the Australian Union, and the birth of new churches.
The first camp meeting in Brighton, Victoria, started on January 5. Promoting the event, Ellen White wrote, "we need to understand what part we shall individually be called to act in the grand important work of building up the cause and work of God . . . and in lifting up the Saviour as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world."i The overflow of spiritual blessings from these meetings inspired motivation for the first camp meeting in Ashfield, NSW, on October 18–30, 1894. The meetings were well attended. “The large pavilion, which accommodated from six to eight hundred persons, is filled every night, and sometimes there are two or three hundred persons standing outside.”ii Sadly, not all was well. The atmosphere among the workers was unhealthy, as jealousy and the spirit of criticism existed.iii
In the context of these attitudes, Ellen White drew attention to the mission's primary focus and lessons to be learned from Christ, the Great Teacher. “Could our spiritual vision be opened, we would see that which would never be effaced from memory as long as life should last.” The following descriptive words challenged me, for they outline what matters to God. “We would see people loaded with grief” often “ready to die in discouragement.” She then described a dynamic picture of God in action. “We should see angels flying swiftly to aid the tempted ones who stand on the brink of a precipice.”iv Her visionary focus challenged the church to become Christ’s extended hands in the community and to create a space of safety and attraction raised on the foundations of God’s kingdom of grace, as demonstrated by Jesus.
Verse of the day:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:1,2 (NIV).
John Skrzypaszek was the Director of Ellen White/SDA Research Centre at Avondale University (2005-2020). In his retirement, based in Cooranbong, he continues to serve as Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Avondale University, focusing on research and writing. He is married to Brenda and has two adult sons, Raphael and Luke.
