In 1965, University of Florida assistant football coach Dewayne Douglas met with a group of scientists to understand why so many players were struggling with energy in the heat.
The athletes lacked fuel and stamina, so the team of researchers developed Gatorade—a sports drink formulated to help them perform at an optimal level.
Just as athletes need fuel to endure physically, Christians need spiritual fuel to live on mission. As a believer, have you ever asked yourself: What fuels our desire and passion for missions?
The Power Behind the Great Commission
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives us the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. In Acts 1:8, he tells us that we will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
As Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us to go and live on mission. But Scripture also warns that we can quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). So, how do we allow the Spirit to fuel us for God’s mission?
Called To Be With Him
To answer this question, let’s look at two key verses:
- Mark 3:14: “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.”
- Matthew 4:19: “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”
We often focus on the preaching and evangelism aspects of these verses—and rightly so—but let’s not miss the foundation: Before Jesus sent the disciples out on mission, he first called them into a relationship with himself. Jesus knew that loving others and fulfilling God’s mission must begin with loving God and cultivating intimacy with him.
In his book Unburdened, Vance Pittman wrote, “We need to understand that being with Jesus is the ultimate pursuit of our lives. Being with Jesus always comes before doing anything. Doing flows from being, not the other way around.”
Josh Smith echoes this in his book The Titus Ten: “The first call of Jesus is to follow him. We respond by submitting ourselves to him as a slave. As we come to know Jesus more, he calls us into a deeper relationship. He is calling you into sonship, friendship, and intimate love. He is calling you to move toward intimacy. And as we move in that direction toward God, we will be able to move in that direction toward others.”
Paul’s Fuel Source
We see this play out in the ministry and life of Paul. In Acts 8, Saul approved of the stoning of Stephen. A wave of persecution scatters believers across Judea and Samaria. By Acts 9, Saul is headed to Damascus to persecute more Christians when he encounters the risen Jesus—and that’s when everything changes.
Acts 9:20 tells us that Paul immediately begins proclaiming the gospel. But where did he gain this knowledge and conviction? Paul answers in Galatians 1:11-17: “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Rather than rush to Jerusalem for affirmation from the apostles or other believers, he withdrew to Arabia, likely to deepen his relationship with Christ.
His passion was born from intimacy, not strategy.
As Paul grew in his intimacy with God, it overflowed into a passion for God’s mission. Just like Paul, we too are called into mission. But if we are going to love people, we must first love God.
Scripture tells us that God loves the nations, and he desires for them to know and worship him. As we spend time with him, our hearts begin to reflect that desire as well.
Growing in Intimacy
So how do we grow in our love and intimacy with God? How do we put ourselves in a position for the Holy Spirit to empower us and drive in us a passion for God’s mission (Acts 1:8)?
1. Time in the Word
We must engage God through his Word daily—reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on it day and night. (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2; 119:15, 23, 78, 97, 148)
2. Prayer
Prayer is not just asking—it’s foundational for a relationship that builds intimacy (1 Chronicles 16:11; Matthew 6:6, Acts 2:42; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
3. Biblical Community
Acts 2:42-47 paints a picture of true biblical community. These early believers regularly came together to worship, read God’s Word, pray, fellowship, and observe the ordinances. Verse 47 states that “the Lord added to their number daily.” This “togetherness” deepened their relationship with God—fueling their passion and desire for God’s mission.
What fuels you for God’s mission? Start with time in his presence and see what happens.
