"By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another." John 13:35
if you love one another." John 13:35
I woke up in the middle of the night dreaming that I was preaching to a crowd of young people. I began by asking them, "Imagine if you were told today that you were appointed to be an ambassador for the United States of America. Wow. Just imagine it. Someone in a black suit comes up and says, "We choose you" and whisks you away in a limousine toward the airport. You're told that today you are flying out of the life you've always known and headed for a new life. You would live on foreign soil for the rest of your life and represent the United States. Your job is very important because you are the only link that those foreign to the United States would have. They would look to you for understanding about our laws, culture, and way of life. It will be your job to establish good relations with these people. You'll also be a a shelter for those who come from our country into the foreign country to visit. If anything goes wrong, they can come and join together with you. Sometimes the reception you receive will not be a kind one. There are those who hate our country and would love nothing more than to see its destruction. Your life might be in danger, but nonetheless, it's your job now and there's no turning back." Your mind begins to reel. You ask yourself, "Me? A foreign ambassador? Why did they select me? I don't know anything about being an ambassador!" Do you feel unprepared or unequipped? On your way into the plane, they shove a book in your hand and tell you that it's all you need to know. Learn it and you'll be fine. Plus, having been born a US citizen, you should already know a lot about citizenship and our country from simply living there. You don't know what to do at this point. All the arrangements seem to have been made. You feel scared, but somewhat honored that they chose YOU for the job. You're on your way whether you like it or not!
This was a spiritual lesson. Here, let me retell the story and everything will be clear.
Imagine if you were told today that you were appointed to represent Jesus Christ here on earth. Wow. Imagine it. Someone in a white robe comes up and says, "We choose you" and whisks you away. It's hard to accept, but you've been given a new life. You'll leave the life you've always known and head for a new one. The world you now live in will be foreign to you and you'll have to live there the rest of your natural life and represent Christ. You will feel like an alien. Your job is very important because you are the only link that the people of this world will have to God. They will look to you for understanding about our laws, culture, and way of life. It will be your job to establish good relations with these people. You'll also be a shelter for those who are also Christians. If anything goes wrong, they can come and join together with you. Sometimes the reception you receive will not be a kind one. There are those who hate Christians and would love nothing more than to see our destruction. Your life might be in danger, but nonetheless, it's your job now and there's no turning back. Your mind begins to reel. You ask yourself, "Me? An ambassador for Christ? I don't know anything about being an ambassador!" Do you feel unprepared or equipped? On the way toward your new destination, a Book is placed in your hand. You are told it contains everything you need to know. Learn it and you'll be fine. Plus, having been born into the Kingdom of God through salvation, you should already know a lot about being a Christian and God's Kingdom simply from living with Him in your heart. You know what to do at this point. All the arrangements have been made. You feel scared, but somewhat honored that God chose YOU for the job. You're salt and light, His representative here on earth...whether you like it or not!
Remember... you are the only representation of CHRIST that someone knows. Let your light shine.
I don't know who wrote this, but it was also echoing through the halls of my mind this morning. I keep a print out of it in the cover of my Bible. I will end with this today:
This was a spiritual lesson. Here, let me retell the story and everything will be clear.
Imagine if you were told today that you were appointed to represent Jesus Christ here on earth. Wow. Imagine it. Someone in a white robe comes up and says, "We choose you" and whisks you away. It's hard to accept, but you've been given a new life. You'll leave the life you've always known and head for a new one. The world you now live in will be foreign to you and you'll have to live there the rest of your natural life and represent Christ. You will feel like an alien. Your job is very important because you are the only link that the people of this world will have to God. They will look to you for understanding about our laws, culture, and way of life. It will be your job to establish good relations with these people. You'll also be a shelter for those who are also Christians. If anything goes wrong, they can come and join together with you. Sometimes the reception you receive will not be a kind one. There are those who hate Christians and would love nothing more than to see our destruction. Your life might be in danger, but nonetheless, it's your job now and there's no turning back. Your mind begins to reel. You ask yourself, "Me? An ambassador for Christ? I don't know anything about being an ambassador!" Do you feel unprepared or equipped? On the way toward your new destination, a Book is placed in your hand. You are told it contains everything you need to know. Learn it and you'll be fine. Plus, having been born into the Kingdom of God through salvation, you should already know a lot about being a Christian and God's Kingdom simply from living with Him in your heart. You know what to do at this point. All the arrangements have been made. You feel scared, but somewhat honored that God chose YOU for the job. You're salt and light, His representative here on earth...whether you like it or not!
Remember... you are the only representation of CHRIST that someone knows. Let your light shine.
I don't know who wrote this, but it was also echoing through the halls of my mind this morning. I keep a print out of it in the cover of my Bible. I will end with this today:
I Am a Disciple of Jesus Christ
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present directed, my future secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, myopic vision, mundane talking, mediocre giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, provision, promotion, or popularity. I don't have to be first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live in His presence, learn by faith, love by practice, lift by prayer, and labor in His power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. The road is narrow, the way is rough, my companions are few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, lured back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, back up, let up, or hush up till I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stood up, and stayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go 'til He returns, give 'til it hurts, preach 'til I drop, tell all know, and work 'til He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problem recognizing me; my colors will be clear.
I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present directed, my future secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, myopic vision, mundane talking, mediocre giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, provision, promotion, or popularity. I don't have to be first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live in His presence, learn by faith, love by practice, lift by prayer, and labor in His power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. The road is narrow, the way is rough, my companions are few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, lured back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, back up, let up, or hush up till I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stood up, and stayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go 'til He returns, give 'til it hurts, preach 'til I drop, tell all know, and work 'til He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problem recognizing me; my colors will be clear.
