Have you ever wondered what great events took place on this day; how many new babies were born and how many people died? How many dreams were fulfilled, deals closed, new ideas formed; works of art given wings, proposals of marriage made and history made by countries, people and events. The internet can give you all this information.
And that’s what it is; information, history and important to know as it expands our thinking, enables us to be better conversationalists. But, isn’t the greatest impact on one’s life found in that which we discover and experience personally?
Paul in the bible was well read, educated, positioned in authority and able to expound in brilliant words that which he fervently believed. With all this Paul declared: “I know nothing, but Christ…and Him crucified.”
God’s calling to pass on the good news
What an excellent choice by God the Father – a man with the right character, skills and abilities to take the good news to the gentiles. This was a man who would stand before leaders and unpack something so brand new and life changing that it had to have the full backing of heaven to reach its mark. And yet, this eternal God-inspired message needed a man with a mouth and a voice – one he was not afraid to use.
But what Paul also knew was that this message was not his to draw attention to himself, but it was a Divine message for all people from the heart of God. Is it possible that we often struggle to separate the man from the message? And use words such as “He really speaks well”, “I only go to church if he is preaching”, “She is an excellent teacher”; “I felt so motivated after I heard him”. The chosen vessel is important as are the skills, abilities, personality of the individual; however, does the message sometimes diminish in the man and listeners are left with the residue of a good feel rather than a changed heart?
Do we want to hear messages that we like or that challenge us?
Often in post preach discussion, I have heard people say “I really liked what she said; it made sense”; or “It’s true what the pastor said on Sunday”. I would love to hear “I heard this one thing in the message and have decided to apply it to my life and make changes”; I was challenged, and have decided I need to now deal with this attitude once and for all – will you help me?”
I am definitely the “how” person. I think most people know “what” must be done, or “what” they should be doing, but many don’t because they don’t know “how”. Is this not what leaders, parents and friends should be modeling to us as we navigate this treacherous, decaying world?
Baby steps towards freedom
I pray that today you will take one baby step towards changing one small behaviour, attitude, fear, negative belief, prejudice or opinion so that you will taste a new freedom and authority. Only then will we truly be agents of change.