As you pull out of the station, you are causally conversing with your seatmate, and then the car jerks you forward and you find yourself being pulled upwards towards a gigantic hill that begins your wild ride. If you are like me, it's about halfway up this hill that you begin questioning the wisdom of said ride and your casual conversation becomes more focused on the task at hand, namely, that first ginormous drop.
We've reached the part of the hill where the top is mere "clicks" away and for some reason the coaster slows as if daring the ride to take the plunge. In front of us lies the start of the ride that will last for us at least four years and we've click-clacked our way to the very tippy top. By the end of Sunday next week our house will be cleared out of our "let's-sell-let's-trash" stuff and a UHaul will be packed with our "coming-along-for-the-ride" stuff. And the ride begins!
This morning in church our pastor started off with a video entitled "Now Go!" (http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/12126/Now-Go) In it the presenters told us of Moses and Gideon, David and Ananias and how each of them at some point in their life heard God say in no uncertain terms, "Now Go!" Pastor Larry led us through Mark 1 where Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to be his first disciples. He calls to them, "Come, follow Me" but He doesn't end there. His calling them had a purpose. He didn't just want them to come. He didn't even want them to come and follow. He wanted them to come and follow SO THAT they could become fishers of men. He wanted them to come so that they could go.
As our pastor led us through Scripture and even the life of Christ and reiterated the concept of coming so we can be going, I felt God's silent nudge over and over again in my hearts, confirming over and over again the words, "Now Go." These next few years will be a time of growing, learning, discipleship and mentoring for us but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it is not for the sake of a title or a job, a ministry or a career but because He is equipping us and calling us to GO and to MAKE disciples. Not converts, disciples. Not church "comers" but church "goers." Not just "saved", but equipped, growing, vital followers of Christ. Even our decision to move has been motivated by hearing God say, "It's time. Now go!"
I have no idea where this life will lead us but I know Who it is that we follow. Jesus spent his younger years "growing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Jesus spent the last three years of his ministry going; from town to town, hillside to hillside, home to home, shore to shore. He came so he could go. And so we "now go" following Him.
I often wish that I was a better blogger. I wish I could put you in my heart so you could hear that still small voice that I have learned to know and love. I wish there was a way on "paper" I could let you feel what I feel and see what I see. I realize there is no way to make that happen. But I thank you for letting me share in this way and for coming alongside and sharing this journey with us as much as possible. If any of this touched your heart at all; if you've heard that same still small voice in your heart saying, "Now Go" whether it be going to meet Him for the first time or going to that neighbor you've praying for or going to the mission field where you feel led, than please don't push it down or look away. Answering the call is not easy; following God goes against our natural grain, but the rewards of coming and following so that you can be going and making are beyond words - treasures of the heart and joy of the soul. And you are never alone because remember, He called us to follow - He's right there, leading you, every step of the way. So... now go.
No comments:
Post a Comment