Today’s Daily Bread ~ Are You Ready?

Ezekiel 3:10-11 – Then He added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first.  Listen to them carefully for yourself.  Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  The opening sentence of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities also accurately describes my life a little over a decade ago.  I was single, dating here and there, and had a group of friends I loved.  We were tight as could be, hanging out together at least three or four nights a week. Some of our antics and escapades were the highlights of my twenties.  However, on a deeper level, I was empty.  Something crucial to my wellbeing was missing.

My best girlfriend and I made it a point to go to church most Sundays.  While I wasn’t living the Christian life, I still had a deep faith that cried out to God.

One day, I was riding with one of my friends to a party.  He drove a Porsche, and handled it with the skill and expertise of a NASCAR driver.  As we whipped in and out of lanes, he glanced over at me.  “How do you know it’s real?”  He asked.  “You know, Jesus?” 

Instantly my heart started to pound.  I’d had a feeling this might come up someday, since my friend and I were the only church-going folks of the bunch.  “Well,” I started, and he instantly interrupted.  “There are so many religions,” he stated, “so what makes you so sure yours is the one that’s right?”

I stumbled and stuttered my way through my words, unable to make a compelling argument.  I tried to explain that there was simply something inside me that knew it was real, but at the end of the conversation, he was unconvinced and I was embarrassed.  Why was I a Christian, anyway?  Simply because I’d been raised that way?  I didn’t really know anything about the other religions of the world, and had never really bothered to explore my faith…or my doubts.

In the years since, his questions have haunted me.  I’ve developed an insatiable hunger for not only knowledge of my God and His Word, but of other faiths as well.  I have taken my questions and doubts to those with more experience than myself, and have come away edified.  If he were to ask me again today, I would explain the insurmountable evidence pointing to a Divine Creator.  I would talk about the prophecies of the Old Testament relating to Jesus, and show him how Christ fulfilled every single one.  I would talk about the absolute validity and accuracy of Scripture, and I would tell him how God has revealed Himself to me over and over again.  I have vowed that I will never let another opportunity pass to win a soul to Christ.

James 2:19 – Do you still think it’s enough just to believe that there is one God?  Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!

I can remember hearing my pastor speak on this verse during a series on the book of James, and how deeply it convicted me.  I believed in God, although I couldn’t tell you exactly why.  I prayed to Him, and even had a shallow relationship with Him.  I cried out to Him when things weren’t going my way, and handed Him my “honey-do” list every night.  But I wasn’t actively seeking to write His words on my heart, and I certainly wasn’t making much of an attempt to seek His will for my life.  I was simply getting frustrated that my relationship with Him wasn’t blessing me the way I thought it would.  I was still lonely.  I still had hurts that wouldn’t heal.  I was still actively and habitually sinning, assuming His grace would cover it.

I was absolutely miserable.

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus is calling us deeper.

As the signs of the time escalate, Christ is calling us to action.  It is not enough to simply believe.  We are charged to go.  This is not a suggestion.  Jesus is not saying to us, “Listen, tell people about me, but only if you feel like it.  Certainly don’t put yourself in an uncomfortable position.” 

We are absolutely commanded to go and make disciples of all the nations, but we must write the words on our own hearts first.  It’s not enough to merely believe.  We need to be able to answer the “whys” of the world, because they will come.  Our faith will be tested, and the non-believers in our circle of influence are watching us very closely.

I have secretly struggled with doubt.  I had questions and concerns that I was afraid to address.  Address them!  God is big enough to handle your questions!  They don’t scare Him, and we can’t stump Him.  He is good and He is just.  His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, but He is kind, merciful and sweet.  He will satisfy and sustain you in ways you never dreamed possible.  And, in my life at least, the natural result to this kind of intimate, loving relationship with our Creator is to share it.

Dear Heavenly Father, the Great Commission is a convicting one, and one we tend to shrink away from.  We assume this command is reserved for the pastors and clergy of the world, or for some strange breed of super-Christian, but You tell us that it’s for us.  Father, we confess that we sometimes feel unequipped for this charge.  Please place people in our path that can mentor and disciple us.  Please give us a hunger for Your word and a thirst for Your wisdom.  We ask that You would strengthen us in both our faith and our relationship with Your Son.  Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit, Lord.  For those of us with doubts and questions, lead us to people or literature that can help us. You are real, God.  More real than anything on earth.  Reveal Yourself to us!  Please, help us to see You everywhere we look.  Help us to produce great fruit for You, Lord, and to shine Your light for all to see, leading others to You.  We love You so much God, and we pray these things in the beautiful name of Your Son, our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.