There is very little time left, for you and me.
The clock is just about empty, the story just about over, and there is time for one, maybe two more gestures.
What do you want to do?
In the past, I would have worried about getting the answer right.
About all the edges and motives.
About all the risks and limitations.
I just don’t care anymore.
That thinking looks very weak for me now.
For me. God has been telling me this for years and years and I’ve been slow to listen.
There isn’t time.
It is time to move.
God: Go and feed my sheep.
Me: Totally. I’ll find the right church and plug in, for sure.
God: That’s not what I said. Go and feed my sheep.
Me: I will. Just let me get the house done and we’ll start having people over, no problem.
God: That’s not what I said. Go and feed my sheep.
Me: Yeah, 100%. I just need to figure out a few things first… I have all these doubts about myself, I just don’t want to screw it up, dirty your name… maybe if I can get a few people to sign off on it?
Me: …
Me: God?
Do you do this?
I do this.
I put off the call of God with a perfectly clear heart.
I had a thought about Paul the other day.
What if he’s not the radical-bull-headed-highly-difficult-person I think he is?
What if he just actually believes what he says?
Is it a reasonable question?
What do you think?
If Paul simply believes what he preaches, that the time is short, that the kingdom is all, the work great, and that eternity beckons… does all his wild willingness and behavior follow?
I think maybe it really does.
That it truly actually is just that.
That is deeply convicting.
What does that imply that we believe? You and I?
Not quite as much, perhaps?
There’s just no question that the call of God is a required priority.
Now.
Luke 9:59-6
He (Jesus) said to another person, “Come, follow me.”
The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus is right now. Jesus isn’t going to be your backup option.
So it’s a simple question, has He called you?
What has He called you to?
And if He has, are you ready?
The man in the story wasn’t.
He had things to do, needed just a moment.
He didn’t get one.
“Come and follow me” Jesus said.
What’s it gonna be?
All scripture referenced is NLT unless otherwise noted. I prefer NLT for postural discussion as it is both reasonably rigorous while retaining a conversational tone.
For study I strongly encourage the use of original language tools, multiple translations, and rigorous critical thought.
Please remember that when you read the Bible in English you are always reading someone else’s theological interpretation of the text.