The Mission

An evening with some ladies who experienced the American home front during World War II provided some valuable lessons about our mission and calling.

While living in Baltimore, Maryland, my husband and I spent an evening with two widows in our local congregation. One of the ladies told the story of her experiences at the beginning of America’s involvement in World War II. She was given a job in an assembly line of women who were responsible for assembling airplane parts. She told how she and her coworkers had the joy of watching the first plane off that assembly line soar through the air.

She and her coworkers were given a mission, instructions and were able to experience the end results of their hard work. They were a small part in the large effort to help the Allies win the war.

This widow’s story is very similar to our Christian calling and holds lessons for us as Christians today.

The calling and the mission

These women were called to aid the war efforts by taking jobs that were formerly held by their husbands, brothers and fathers who were called to military action. They believed in the cause, said yes to the mission presented to them and became the laborers for the war effort. They were fighting a physical enemy with evil ambitions and were convinced their efforts could make a difference in defeating this enemy. 

We are also called to aid in a spiritual war with three distinct enemies:

• Satan: Although unseen, he affects us physically and spiritually. He is “the ruler of this world” (John 14:30), and his goal is to thwart God’s plan to bring sons and daughters into His eternal family.
• Society: This enemy is filled with evils and distractions to manipulate us into leaving the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life (Matthew 13:22).
• Self: Our own human nature is our last enemy, and we struggle internally not to align ourselves with Satan and this world (1 John 2:15-16).

We know that Jesus Christ will return to set up His Kingdom on this earth. We have said yes to our calling—the mission to be in that Kingdom by building godly character.    

The instructions

The women on the assembly line were given instructions and on-the-job training. The training process was intense. They knew that one careless mistake could cost lives. They had to trust the instructions given to them and follow them precisely. Their trust and adherence made them successful.

As Christians, we place our faith in the Holy Scriptures to provide us the instructions for how to fulfill our mission. We also have on-the-job training (our physical lives) and know that sins (unless repented of) can cost lives—our lives! We must be careful in following God’s instructions.

The women on the assembly lines had supervisors who were able to guide them through the process. Similarly, God has not left us alone. He has provided us shepherds who have the responsibility of teaching and guiding God’s people through this training ground. Their job is to feed and tend the flock as Jesus instructed Peter in John 21:15-17. As we gain experience in God’s way, we can also assist new workers as they join God’s labor force.

The end result

The goal of these women was to put the planes together using the instructions they were given. They were to make them fly and help defeat the Axis powers. Their efforts to help were a part of why we have the freedoms we have today.

But World War II was a smaller war than the one we are fighting!

We are the laborers in the field for the greatest battle of all time. We are fighting to become future sons and daughters of God. God has given us everything we need to overcome this present evil age. If we effectively use the tools He has given us and stay committed to the mission, the end result will lead to the ultimate defeat of the greatest enemies of all time: Satan, society and self.

Members of the World War II generation are aging and dying, and many are no longer with us to relate these incredible stories. Our evening with the two widows gave us a story that we have never forgotten. It’s a story similar to the one that we will tell during the time when the Kingdom of God will come to this earth. It will be a story to encourage the rest of humanity that they, too, will have a mission and instructions. And before their eyes they will be able to see the end result and the defeat of the last enemy—death.

For further insight into the spiritual tools God has given us to fulfill our mission, read about “Prayer, Fasting and Meditation.”