Post Sunday August 9 2009

“Which of the two did the will of his father?” Matthew 21:31

I’ve been seated at the table of my enemies. I’ve been kissed by Judas. I’ve been on my face shedding tears that felt as if they were bleeding forth directly from my heart. I’ve united with others and endured words and looks of scorn from the other others. I’ve looked upon many and had compassion and said to myself Lord please feed them with the little I have. I’ve been abandoned at my time of deepest need by not just one but many and all seemingly at the exact same time. I have had to endure numerous weeks piled upon one another of deep sorrow but lived with no discouragement. I have run and increased my pace to the point of exhaustion to reach the finish line only to find the finish line deserted and lonely. I’ve been called the gardener when I was the one in charge. I’ve stood still in order to hear which direction God’s voice is coming from and as I try to listen intently I have had to stand my ground as others with the best of intentions try to push me to all four corners of the earth. I’ve spoken the truth and watched many turn their backs and walk away. I’ve been so focused on accomplishing what I truly felt a great task and turned to find those called to encourage and serve alongside me fast asleep. I’ve listened to sweetened complimentary words from those who seem harmless but at the end of each of their words is the subtle hiss of a snake. I’ve asked many times for this cup to pass from me, I’ve asked many times for this cup to pass from me and again I’ve asked many times for this cup to pass from me, but never the less Lord, Your will be done. And many times I’ve risen back up and each word in this paragraph no longer exists.

I’ve both experienced these things and sadly I’m sure I’ve caused these things in the lives of others, for that piece of which I’ve caused, I beg for your forgiveness.

These things are the difficult part of carrying through with the will of the Father. These are the gut check things of carrying through with the will of the Father. These are the moments in which you are fully exposed and your weaknesses and your moments of sin and failure are laid before God and man. These are the times in which you truly choose which son/daughter of God you are. The one who says yes, but does not have the integrity/courage/responsibility/heart/passion/faith to actually do what you’ve said yes to or you can be the one who says no, but later regrets it and goes or says yes and follows through with that yes (I love when we do this one!)

When we say yes to something that will require more of us than we would normally give we begin to think. More time. More money. More resources. More compassion. More sweat. More passion. More positive mojo. It immediately gets weighed against those things or those things similar in paragraph one of this post Sunday devotional. The yes comes out because we know it is the right thing to do, but then the “more” of what that yes is going to demand begins to hunt us down seeking to destroy us. Why? Because if that yes is carried out then God’s will is done on this earth. Heaven so to speak is brought to earth. The kingdom of God has come near. The rule and reign of God has been brought to the forefront. If that yes is carried out God’s power is displayed through us and good, noble, powerful, righteous change begins.

If that yes is carried out we are trained in the way of a servant of God and begin walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh. That training hones our skills as servants of God. That training develops new skills which makes our potential for use within the kingdom of God all the more. That training destroys unnecessary parts of us, but on the other end of the pain of being shaped and formed is the beauty of Christ that shines through us all the more. That training brings us deeper into the heart of God. That training benefits others and fruit is brought forth and we of course are known by our fruit…

As you embark out in your quest to continue in and doing the will of God, remember all those things in paragraph one that I’m sure have happened to you as well, all happened to Jesus. You can read about how He did God’s will despite all the negatives of life around Him in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Yet for the joy set before Him in doing the will of God….He endured it all and He ushered in eternal change and eternal joy.

So again as we allowed Christ’s questions to penetrate our hearts on Sunday: “But what do you think?” What do you think about all this? What have you done lately that is a clear carried out yes to God? What part of carrying out God’s will has inconvenienced you, yet you stayed the course? What has caused you to not give out of your abundance, but given a piece of you that you thought you wouldn’t “survive” if you gave it?

What have you said yes to but never showed up for that yes? What was greater than God’s will in your life? A trip? A TV show? Another person? The game? Sleep?

Have you ever used the actor’s(to understand actor you’ll have to listen to the message online) line of well, I don’t think that was God’s will for my life, I’m praying about it….but reality is you just weren’t comfortable with doing what you know would be difficult and it required “more.”

Remember the parable when read knowing what it is speaking toward for it reads this way…God came to Eric (you fill in your name!) and said come do my will within my kingdom today.”

What do you think? Did you do the will of your father?

No further questions necessary, think on these things this week. Be talking about this all week with others that will cause you to be in the game instead of watch the game. That will illuminate instead of darken. That will salt instead of pepper.

Pastor e