Do We Break New Ground Or Play It Safe?
Good Morning Friends,
Sometimes we sense the presence of God and sometimes we do not. Today we explore the possibility that we would sense God more if we risked more in seeking a just mercy. So, inspired by today’s scripture we ask, Do We Break New Ground Or Play It Safe?
Scripture: Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars, and destroy their pillars. For now they will say: “We have no king, for we do not fear the Lord, and a king—what could he do for us?” Samaria’s king shall perish like a chip on the face of the waters. The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow up on their altars. They shall say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall on us. Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 (NRSV)
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
Matthew 10:1-7 (NRSV)
Message: Today we follow up on the theme of sowing and reaping and realize the relationship between risk and reward takes both conscious awareness of a process and commitment and proper implementation before a harvest is realized. It is here it becomes clearer that God is full and complete and perfect but that is not to say that it did not cost the Father to send His Son for our salvation. It was in a way a great risk for God for the simple reason that we are still given a choice. It was a great pain to die on the cross. So, the story is that God loved us enough not to play it safe but instead broke ground into new territory for the Kingdom of God to thrive and produce a harvest in each of us. So, we too like the disciples should be sowing the seeds of our faith. Friends, risking is part of the plan, but the things of the world are easy and shining and they attract our attention and cause us to forget that there are more worthwhile ways to spend our time related to Kingdom work. We are to get out of our comfort zone but we are to do so with wisdom. And here hopefully we discover that there is something powerful about being in the presence of someone and sharing an honest, open moment of emotion beyond pleasantries. It breaks open new territory and the opportunity for clearer vision when we share the Gospel in new ways to new people. Risking in love breaks new ground and plants seeds that change lives.
Pray we realize that God loves us so much, to the point of engaging in activities that are painful and difficult and even deep rooted and potentially profoundly hazardous. Pray we too are willing to risk because we realize what is really at stake. Pray we believe the Kingdom can still be near in the radical and surprising love of those who believe enough to be honest. Pray we are willing to be in the presence of real emotion. Pray we are willing to explore and break new ground even if it feels uncomfortable. Pray we realize that sharing mercy brings a closeness to God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 