Proverbs 28:20 A faithful person will abound with blessings
Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means, I desire compassion and not sacrifice for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
What would happen if you volunteered to teach Sunday School? What would happen if you signed up to be a volunteer for Project Read? What would happen if you applied to become a Stephens Minister? What would happen if you tried to read the whole Bible in one year and kept accountable to others on the same calendar challenge?
I don’t know the Bible. I am not a good Christian. I am lazy. I am a sinner. I hang with the wrong people. I am not good enough. I am not smart enough. People will think I’m weird. People won’t like me. I don’t have time. I don’t have enough love in my heart. I need to take care of my own family. Those are possible excuses. But guess what happens when you do it?! You expected to be the teacher, but you actually become the learner – through your submission to God’s call, He teaches you! Before the lessons come up on the calendar, He gives you experiences; He gives you scriptures with repetitive messages that bring you along on your own spiritual journey. He brings you into closer relationship with him. And if you happen to hang with the wrong people, you will be surprised at how many of them he brings along to Him on their own journey of growth.
My current high school age Sunday School lesson is about Jesus and Matthew. See Matthew 9. Jesus calls Matthew, the despised tax collector, and guess what happens next! Matthew throws a big party at his house and invites all his friends (also despicable sinners) to meet Jesus. Imagine…you invite friends to an event, building a positive relationship and Jesus gets involved in their life too! I’m just sayin’. Don’t doubt God’s power to work through your simple act of answering his call to a small service – he will reward you with growth in your own understanding while he also works with other people.
I am in awe! I am amazed! God is always there, always waiting for us to come to him for blessing. He operates on plan A, plan B, plan C, until….?
If you are called like my friend to go on a mission trip to Peru, Haiti, New Orleans, or wherever – go for it. If you can host a party for your friends to build a relationship – do it. If you can invite someone to participate with you in a learning event – don’t pass it up. There is so much spirit among us hovering like a hummingbird, waiting at attention like the best restaurant staff, hanging over us like a fog cloud, just bursting at anticipation that we will say “yes” and accept glorious blessings that are precipitously available to everyone, anyone, including me, including you.
Matthew 10:27 what I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
2 Corinthians 4:13-14 we believe, therefore also we speak; knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will represent us with you.
