Stay on Mission – 21st January 2018

2. Don’t give up!
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:24-29
If we are going to join Jesus in His Mission then it is imperative that we DO what He is asking us to do, even when it is difficult, even when we feel like giving up!
I mentioned last time that I go to a gym close to where I live and that this gym has words and pictures on every wall. These words and pictures have been put there to inspire the people in the gym to achieve what it is they have come to the gym for!
On the back wall of the gym, just above the boxing ring, is a huge poster which contains the words”
‘Don’t stop when it hurts – stop when you are done!’
In other words, ‘Keep going and don’t give up just because it hurts. If you want to achieve your goal you have to keep on lifting the weights or running on the machine!’
When He was on His way to Jerusalem, where he would lay down his life for us, Jesus met many people who said they wanted to follow Him. To these people Jesus said:
“No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
I think that Jesus is saying something that is very similar to the words on the poster in the gym. If we are going to follow Jesus and join Him in His mission then there are times when it will hurt. People will reject us, people will disagree with us, people will say things and do things that we find it difficult to handle. At these times it is very tempting just to give up! I am guessing that as you are reading this you are remembering times that this has happened to you, times when you ‘gave up’.
Jesus wants to inspire and challenge you to do something that is far more important than pushing through the pain barrier to lift a weight or keep running for 5 more minutes. He wants you to continue to follow Him even when it hurts because if you do then His mission can be completed in you and through you. You will be transformed and your spiritual strength will increase, you will become increasingly effective. At the same time, the people that you are seeking to reach will not be left without your witness.
At the beginning of this week, reflect for a moment on Jesus words in Luke 9:62 and consider this question: ‘Am I fit for service in the Kingdom of God or have I given up?’
Jesus promised us that He would never leave or forsake us and, if you are willing to join Him in His mission, He will be with you, you can get ‘back on track’.
Dennis