Unfinished Mission

“Facing a task unfinished that drives us to our knees.” These lyrics, penned nearly a century ago, still strike a chord today not because the task is done, but precisely because it isn’t.

How often do we assume we’re living faithfully just because we know we should be? It’s a quiet self-deception. “Christians redeem the time. I am a Christian. Therefore, I must be redeeming the time.” But this kind of logic detached from reality can trick us into complacency. We say “I believe,” and presume “therefore I am thriving.” But faith is not fantasy. Walking by faith doesn't mean walking in fiction.

The truth? Many of us are living spiritually sleepy lives. We may be doctrinally sound, morally upright, and outwardly present but inwardly, our spiritual muscles have atrophied. We’re not tasting the joy Jesus promised. We’re not moved by the mission He gave. We are, in many ways, still standing on the shoreline while the Great Commission ship has long since launched.

A 2022 Barna study found that although 95% of practicing Christians believe in the importance of missions, only 17% feel personally involved. That staggering disconnect reveals a gap not just in action, but in affection a heart that has forgotten the urgency of the gospel task.

We may be saved, but are we sent?

The Danger of Domestic Discipleship

We weren’t saved to sit back. And yet, too many of us live what could be called “civilian lives” in the midst of a spiritual war. We hunger for joy but ignore the path Jesus laid out: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Instead of charging ahead, we spiritually slouch. We ask why our walk with Christ feels bland, but don’t consider how missionless Christianity breeds apathy.

Yet when we read Scripture, we see something altogether different. Paul endured shipwrecks, stonings, imprisonments and still considered it joy, because he was living with purpose. Peter and John couldn’t stop speaking about what they’d seen and heard. The early church didn’t simply “attend” they were actively going, sending, proclaiming.

When the flame of mission grows dim, joy does too. The full Christian life isn’t merely doctrinal; it’s directional. Jesus didn’t call us to comfort, but to carry His name to the ends of the earth.

A Hymn to Rouse the Heart

Frank Houghton’s 1931 hymn, Facing a Task Unfinished, became a rallying cry for missionary movement in China and beyond. More recently, the Gettys have revived it for a new generation. But this song isn’t a sentimental reminder of past sacrifices. It’s a wake-up call to present-day disciples who’ve forgotten what it means to live sent.

Let’s reflect on four lines of the hymn each a prayer to rekindle mission in our hearts.

“Rebuke our slothful ease.”

We confess that while the need for the gospel remains great, our urgency often does not. We spend more time curating comfort than chasing the lost. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). The call still echoes. Will we fall to our knees and ask to be sent?

“May we heed their crying.”

There are still over 3.2 billion people who are considered unreached with the gospel, according to the Joshua Project. These are real people, made in God’s image, living and dying without hope. Let that sink in. Let that fuel prayer. Let it move us to cross streets, cultures, and oceans.

“To Thee we yield our powers.”

We hold the flaming torch passed down from martyrs and missionaries who counted no cost too high. What are we doing with it? Are we bearing it forward—or dimming it with distractions? Every gift we have, every platform we occupy, every breath we take is meant for Him. He gives us power not for status, but for service.

“From cowardice defend us.”

Fear is the quiet killer of gospel witness. We fear rejection, awkwardness, or inconvenience. But what if we feared silence more than we feared speaking up? What if we feared apathy more than discomfort? The early disciples prayed for boldness—and they received it (Acts 4:29-31). So can we.

The Joy of an Unfinished Task

We often think mission is a burden but Scripture paints it as a joy. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15). Joy isn’t found in comfort zones. It’s found in following Jesus into the unknown, carrying His message to those who desperately need it.

And here’s the paradox: we find the fullness of life when we pour it out for others. The gospel doesn’t shrink when shared it multiplies. Our joy in Christ doesn’t diminish when offered it deepens. The more we give ourselves to His task, the more alive we become.

Too many Christians settle for a spiritual life that’s muted, numb, half-awake. But mission wakes us up. Mission revives the soul. Mission isn’t a burden to bear; it’s a song to sing, a call to follow, a race to run with purpose.

The task is unfinished. The fields are white. The call is clear.

Will we rise?

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