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. It is about the privilege of prayer and a citizenship in heaven as a preference to the privileges of the world. Of course, we want both. And sometimes we talk ourselves into believing we can. For honestly, the problem is we do not even want equality with God. We want power over God. Here rests the challenge since the beginning of time. It seems we are never satisfied. But in facing our sins and pride of life, part of us, the nobler part still hopes for an awakening of a pure heart and clear mind to align with the plans and purposes of the Kingdom of God here and around the world. For all this is not about me and it is not about you either. God is God and we are not. It is about God and the hope that people will be eager to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to them. So, hopefully inspired by today’s scripture and balanced by the practical considerations of the life we live, we ask a question the Trinity must have considered, Do We Plough New Ground Or Play In The Comfort Of Our Privilege?
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 first locally to those we know and then to the world. 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.
And So, there are many altars in the world. And we place our hope, prayer, communion and sacrifice in them to grow our faith. Many altars serve the lies of life. Most altars do not honor God and only those God blesses produce a harvest for the Kingdom. But those that do are worth the risk to build up, for their reward is love. The work is one of sharpening the clarity of a desired future. One of the most productive things all of us can do is to be about finding solutions, asking great questions, developing the focus and leadership to take new ground for the Kingdom. And it is not just sharing our talents. Using our talents in ministry is similar to sharing out of abundance. Often Christians tend to be much like an unread book, neat and clean and unused and untested. We are to share our abundance with those in need. But also, we need to risk out of our weakness. It is in always giving fully to the work of the Lord that we experience God. And the beauty is that this is a labor that is not in vain but a picture of a life that spills over with love and meets a wide range of needs. Ministry opportunities that do not come easily but almost always present the potential of unplowed ground. So, know that God may be leading you out of safe, well-tried areas of ministry and worship into the awkward or the unknown. Maybe it will involve a dramatic change in your way of life; on the other hand, He may simply be trying to point out some nearby feet in need of washing. Do not be afraid to discover God’s plan for your unplowed ground.
Pray we realize that God loves us so much, even to the point of engaging in activities that are painful and difficult and even deep rooted and potentially profoundly hazardous, all so we might grow in faith. Pray we realize that if we are not progressing, we are perishing. 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. Pray that we not be afraid to discover the plan God has for our unplowed lives.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 