For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
When you look in the mirror what do you see? Do you see a person of a certain age? Do you see the physical characteristics that you would change: your hair color or texture, the shape of your nose, the wrinkles, or the size of your ears? Or do you see a masterpiece, a work of art created with intent and with a specific design? Do you ever look beyond the surface of the physical, to see the actual person that God created?
“Spent today in a conversation In the mirror face to face with Somebody less than perfect I wouldn't choose me first if I was looking for a champion In fact I'd understand if You picked everyone before me But that's just not my story”
Francesca Battistelli
He Knows My Name , 2014
We’ve all been there. That place where we critically assess ourselves and find something lacking. So how do we align what we see with our physical eyes to the concept that we are God’s Handiwork or His Masterpiece (NLT) and that He has a very specific plan for each of our lives.
When you look back through scripture, you find time after time where God selected ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary tasks. I can think of several examples, but for today I want to focus on the disciples and those who were instrumental in the beginning of the early church.
As Jesus began his earthly ministry, I find it fascinating that he chose common men. Those that accepted his invitation of “Follow Me” were fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, and a thief to name a few. None of these men had anything special to recommend them, but Jesus looked beyond their rough exterior and saw their potential. And then there were the women. Mary Magdalene had been demon possessed, but she answered the call. There were also wives and mothers among the early followers of Jesus. Some gave financially, while others provided meals for Jesus and the other disciples.
The early believers in the Book of Acts were much the same. They heard the message of grace and redemption and believed. When persecution came and they had to move away, they took that message with them and the church continued to grow.
What happened? What changed? We still have that same message to share and we still have a world around us that needs to hear that message, but something has changed.
In about 300 AD, Eusebuis, a Bishop from Caesarea introduced a concept that adversely impacted the spread of the Good News. He introduced the Sacred and Secular Divide. Basically stating that there are those who are called to be pastors, evangelists or missionaries, and there are those who are called to be carpenters, farmers, politicians, laborers, and housewives. He went on to teach that only those who were called to be “sacred” should be teaching, preaching, and sharing the Gospel. Basically, he was saying that if you hadn’t received the call or the training, you should not talk about spiritual matters with others.
Sounds harsh right? But for some reason, people bought into this idea and any advancement of the church became dependent on those who were “called”.
Today, we are still feeling the effects and impact of that Sacred / Secular divide. We do church on Sunday, then live out our Christianity very quietly the rest of the week. We don’t want to offend anyone. We don’t want to get into a discussion where we are asked about a specific scripture and we don’t want to get backed into a corner by someone who is more passionate about their unbelief than we are about our beliefs.
Chalk one up for Satan. He scored big on this one.
The early believers did not have the printed scripture. They did not have any Bible School training. They had a real encounter with God and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them. Today, we have so much more, yet we seem content to let a small percentage of the population be responsible for the spiritual health of the world.
That’s just not the way that Jesus wanted it done. He came as an ordinary carpenter’s son. He didn’t spend his time with the religious sects, but instead went out into the cities and towns to meet with the ordinary.
Jesus challenged the disciples “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Please note, he didn’t tell them to go to Bible School. There is nothing wrong with Bible School, if you have the opportunity go! Jesus didn’t tell them to preach in the Temple or Synagogues. Jesus told them to “go and make disciples”. Much like Jesus had done with them, he wanted them to go and do for others. Much of Jesus’ ministry was carried out in the day to day activities. We see very little planned, large-scale events in His ministry. Yet, the impact of His life and work are still felt today.
Don’t buy into Eusebius’ model. Wherever you find yourselves, look for opportunities to share the love of God. You meet people every day that your pastor will never meet. What if God placed you in that person’s life on purpose? What if you are the only one who will ever share the message of hope, redemption and grace with that person?
What Eusebius missed was that we are all called. We are all charged with “making disciples”. So, write yourself back into the story. The whole world will never know until we all do our part.
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