Day 4 – Will You Pray These Five Words — The Next Five Days?
Ever wonder WHY someone would say NO to the call? I hear NO a lot. I guess it comes with the risk of the ask. And I’m OK with that. I’m not going to stop asking.
There are lots of NO stories in the pages of Scripture. And here’s what’s fascinating — the NO stories are the same now as then! Here’s the TOP FIVE, then and now:
#1 — My time — I don’t have time. Plain and simple, I don’t have time!
Time’s a funny thing isn’t it? Best I know, since God hung the moon and stars, there’s still 24 hour days and 7 day weeks, right? In reality it’s not that we DON”T have time it’s how we CHOOSE to invest (or waste away) our time.
Jesus’ parable of the talents (resources) in Matthew 25 reminds us that time is both a gift and also a responsibility.
#2 — My brand — You’re not one of us. They’re not one of us. We only play in the sand box with people who look like us and act like us.
In short we often let our biases — people’s skin color, economic status, education levels, zip codes, and even church denominations help us justify turning a blind eye to the needs of others.
Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10 models for us the principle of getting off our donkey and helping.
#3 — My money — I’m paid to do something else. Economics skew much of our thinking. In reality most of us live in the top tier of our world’s citizenry when it comes to stuff. Not withstanding, we frequently live with a scarcity mentality. One hour spent volunteering can often be viewed as one hour of non-productivity. Ironic, huh?
Jesus conversation with a character identified only as “the rich young ruler” in Mark 10 tells this story. Jesus calls. He says no and walks away to an uncertain future and eternity.
#4 — My fear — That’s not my thing. Perhaps I hear this most. I’m not equipped or qualified or…some other reason why I can’t lend a hand. And yet my experience is that fear can serve as the door leading to reliance on another. If I can’t do it (and I can’t) perhaps I can rely on another (God) who can!
Life is about overcoming our fears. Fear holds us back. Stepping into another’s need filled world (which by the way is what missionaries do) is all about saying, “I can’t, but God will”!
Peter’s water walking adventure in Matthew 14, as imperfect as it was, catapulted him light years ahead as a disciple of Jesus.
#5 — My silence — Often I just never hear back. The civility in our social discourse has plummeted. The simple reply of no, or not at this time, or no I have other commitments, is — well, not always the answer I am seeking, however it shows courteousness of reply.
In John 6 Jesus “calls the question” of many who had casually followed him. Are you in? Will you follow more closely? Will you give of your time, and resources? Will you denounce your prejudices and fears? Many said NO to the call. It says, “from this time many turned back and no longer followed him”.
My hope and prayer is that during these five days, and praying these five words “Here I am send me” — that many will overcome NO and step forward in faith and say YES!
Daily choosing to say YES,
Jim for Loving Community
