Anytime I finish a chore – something I really wasn’t in the mood to do – I see the good result, and I thank God for it. I thank God for something that I actually did.
I sweat to do it, but thank God for it. Why? Because the outcome is good, and it’s a very pleasant reality for me to be part of. I enjoy the outcome. I enjoy being ‘active’, ‘alive’, being part and present in this good space, good place. This is very much the ‘truth’ of sharing Jesus with people, being a ‘witness’. There can be a growth curve and some discipline in getting to a place of witnessing – but after every Spirit-led experience of talking to someone about the Gospel, I come away thanking God from the bottom of my heart. The ‘work’ was me; the courage and ‘words’ were mine. (You know what I mean!) But the opportunity and experience of being an ambassador for Jesus is a gift! In this ‘work’ of mine, I step into the glory of God. I step into the realm where God is at work in the soul of a person. I step into the space where God’s Kingdom is advancing relentlessly in history. (Mt 16:18) I step into what is ‘really’ going on in this universe, what is truly being built and established and fought and won… In this sacrifice of mine to stand with Jesus, share his name and promises and call, I see Christ in the eyes of people. I walk away every time thanking God for the opportunity. ‘We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.’ (2 Cor 5:20)
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I was a ‘missionary kid’. Our family traveled behind the leading of my dad’s ministry as a street preacher. We lived all over the world, on land and sea. We settled in Ireland when I was 9 years old, and to this day my dad preaches on the street – namely the corner of North Great Earl Street, and O’Connell Street, Dublin City. Keep an eye out for him!
But I remember in different countries and ‘outreaches’, walking behind my dad with his ‘sketchboard’, paints and microphone, heading out to do some preaching… And I can remember him saying often, ‘OK, this looks like a good spot, I’ll set up here.’ No ceremony, no fanfare, no pre-planned box to tick. Just here and now, and let’s go... Sometimes big crowds would gather. Sometimes no one would stop. Is outreach just a random thing? Does outreach only really count if it starts with a committee, a plan, printed t-shirts and a live band? What is the nature of true, Christian evangelism and outreach? Let’s keep this short. Let’s keep this simple. Spirit-led, or Spirit-endorsed outreach is never random. Let’s break this down a little:
If either of the above are at work in your outreach, it is not random. ‘Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.’ (Luke 14:23) For more on ‘First Steps’ with Jesus Christ in your own life, please visit: https://1peter1three.weebly.com/first-steps.html Paul tells us that one night he was ‘caught up into the third heavens’ (heaven), and saw things that he cannot even utter. (2 Cor 12)
Paul had seen things and heard things, that others had not. His vision of reality, therefore, of life, was different. He had glimpsed life hereafter, and also had a powerful gauge on how real, how imminent, how absolutely eternal it was… This affected Paul’s relationships with everyone, his priorities, his attitudes, his zeal. Just read Philippians 3:8-14, and feel the wind in his sails… You, my friend, have seen Jesus. You believe and know he is the Son of God, and all authority in heaven and earth is his. (John 6:13:3, Mt 16:16-17) The truth is, this ‘revelation’ is upon you, not under your control. Jesus said to Peter, ‘No man has revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.’ (Mt 16:17) You see. You know. This revelation of Jesus has poured eternal life over your soul, and marked you ‘safe’ for all eternity. But here on earth, it also carries a ‘cross’. You can’t pretend you don’t see what you see. You just can’t. This is not an admonishment, just a reality. Sometimes I struggle in my life, in moving and grooving in social and work circles that are not Christian. My struggle is that I’ve seen the map of history. I know that everything ‘serious’ here, is not as serious as Jesus being King of the heart of a person. Nothing. For this reason when Jesus looked out over the people, he wept and said, ‘If you only knew this day what would bring you peace…’ (Luke 19:42) Jesus walks with us. We don’t have to stress or fear. We can and must walk in and through this life with Jesus, and with people, until we find ourselves walking through the gates of heaven. Jesus himself prayed that we would not be taken out of this world, out of this mission field, but that we would be protected in the mission. (John 17:15) We’re here to do battle, and yet to cast all our anxiety on the Lord to carry! (1 Pe 5:7) I just want to ‘validate’ your struggle in this brief reflection. That’s all. It’s not easy to do this life with a ‘cross’ on our back. It’s tough. There’s a constant ‘mis-fit’ with secular life and the values of this world. Two very brief words: (1) Don’t deny your true identity in Christ. (in other words, don’t give in to the pressure of being ‘separate’, and try to assimilate. You’ll become lukewarm, my friend, and that’s dangerous water – Rev 3:16) (2) Don’t get stressed! Yes, you’re in a battle, and it’s uncomfortable, unpredictable. But the war is won! It’s effectively over. We’re on the home stretch to glory! (Pr 4:18) |
AuthorPeter Walker. Archives
March 2022
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