“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” Mark 16:15
I had the opportunity of a lifetime and I was not going to let it pass. My Granddaughter was over for a sleepover by herself so it was perfect timing. I asked her to bring her Bible and she did. We had talked a little about reading it and how to grow in our faith. Now I wanted to show her how to do that as well.
Grabbing my markers, we opened her Bible together and I began to tell her of the color system I use to mark important passages. We started with the color ‘Green’ and I asked her, “when we are driving down the road and see a green light, what does that mean?” “Go,” she said. And I explained that when I read anywhere in the Bible that is telling me to do something, I underline it in ‘Green’ so I know it is a ‘command.’ Simple right??? no!
As I have been thinking lately, I realize there are a LOT of words in my Bible that are underlined in Green. But in paying attention to some of them, I have to admit that when it comes to my obedience, my REAL reaction is to say ‘NO.’ Or ‘I GO TOO SLOW!’ I felt rather like a failure.
Conviction can bring either a sense of failure or empowerment. I talked recently with some folks who have been feeling guilty that they have not done what God has asked of them. The conviction of guilt has stopped them in their tracks. Feelings of unworthiness retard any growth. But I only have to look at MY life to see the answer. I can either stay stuck in place… or use His command to GO and DO what He says.
Jesus Christ will be the first to tell you that He does not own a ‘Guilt Bag.’ He doesn’t collect failures to whack us with then we arrive home to Glory. He DOES have a ‘JOY Jingle’ though. And when we DO what He asks, HIS JOY follows us right here, right now. So I must learn to GO when He says. And practice makes perfect.
This verse today tells us explicitly the 1 thing Jesus has asked us to Go and DO. ‘GO… Tell everyone about the life, joy and peace I offer. You know.. like the one I give YOU!’ Convicted, I realize that If I don’t have it… I can’t go share it. And I can’t GET it… until I grab and USE it!
Please pray for our Church … A few of us are going to the local street corner where protesters have been staging themselves. God has convicted me that it is MY corner, since it is on the same road as our church. One of their signs said, “Come Join Us!” So we are taking the Gospel. Thank you for praying for us. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime!
