Sent
When I was young, my parents would send me on short errands. The more responsible I became the longer and more important the errands became. I really made a big mistake once and our house nearly burned down. I had been sent home from church (5 minute) walk over the hill (literally) to check the food that she had left on the stove. I think she simply seconded guessed herself whether she turned off the stove. I was to make sure the stove was off. The buttons were “off” on one end and “high” on the other end. I pushed the button for what I carelessly thought was off, but it was in fact, high. When we arrived home from church there was smoke billowing from the kitchen and the pan with potatoes in it was charred. I’m not sure I ever forgot that smell. I was sent to do one thing and I screwed it up. My parents could tell it was a simple accident. It took a minute for me to earn the trust because of my careless mistake.
Jesus sent His followers out on a mission. His instructions had to be alarming. They were to take no money. They had no change of clothes. This was not your normal mission trip. They were to go throughout Israel and tell of the coming kingdom. They could be punished and persecuted for sharing such a radical message. Check this out….
26 “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:26-28 NLT)
As I read this chapter, I was reminded of my call from the Lord into local ministry over 40 years ago. I felt called to serve in the church. I was a youth minister/pastor. I was paid a salary to be free to minister. Now these many years later, I am blessed to still be in a ministry of serving people who need my help. I can help them sell or purchase a home, but I feel like there is ample opportunity to encourage, counsel and share my faith.
I believe all followers of Jesus are sent to speak out our faith. I believe that I’m sent today to show my faith by how I live. It’s way more important to live out my faith than to speak it. I’m going to go to work in an hour or so and the opportunities to serve the One Who sends me will be numerous. I am sent to serve Him NOT myself.
Pressing On!
Dwayne