What a Mission Statement IS... and What it's NOT

Your mission statement should be a simple summary of who you are and where you're going in life. It reminds you and others of what your call is.  

Here is a helpful list of what your mission is NOT.

Your mission is NOT: your JOB. Your current JOB is not the same as your mission. Your job will change several times during your lifetime; your mission most likely won't.

It is NOT: your ROLE. First, you were a baby, then a child, then a teen, then a college student, then a "real" adult, then an employee, then possibly a husband or wife, then maybe a mom or dad, a businessperson, an artist, a writer, and so on. But your role is not the same as your mission. Don't let your current role overshadow your mission.

It is NOT: your TO-DO LIST. I don't know about you, but I sure do have the tendency to let my to-do list take over my day sometimes. And when I do, I notice the empty feeling I have when I realize that my relationships with God and others have taken the backseat to "urgent" tasks that are really unimportant in the grand scheme of things.    

Other truths from The Path:

You probably are already living your mission in some form or fashion. You just need to think about it, define it, limit it enough that it can be helpful, and then use it.

You are important enough to have a mission. Everyone needs one.

Your mission doesn't have to be grandiose. You can change the world one life at a time, even if your job or ministry is behind the scenes or seemingly not that important.

Your mission doesn't have to be full of suffering to be valuable.

Your geography is not your destiny. If you're not living in a place or situation where you can fulfill your mission, move on!

If you're not married and you are involved in a dead-end relationship that is keeping you from fulfilling your mission in life, ditch it. Life's too short! Focus on what God has gifted you to do.