Welcome to 2021! What a time to be alive, and what a time to be a Christian! I have not always been able to make a statement like that. When I cast my mind back to 1979, I remember a life spinning out of control; empty inside, addicted to drugs, convicted of sales once, under investigation again. I had even gotten a passport and was preparing to leave the country for Mexico. In my mind, I kept thinking that I wasn’t meant to be living like this; that this wasn’t the way I was raised up.
I kept looking for someone who knew what was going on; someone who had “the answers” to my questions. I even went to an evangelical ministry on the Arizona State University campus and poured my heart out to a pastor who told me, “We don’t have anything that can help you here. You might try the Quakers down towards the student union.” It is sad to say that the minister was too right, they really didn’t have anything there to help me.
I thank the Lord that He kept me out of jail and in-country, because it was quite soon after that failure to connect with something, that God revealed Himself to me personally, made me a new creation, and gave me a new opportunity to live a life where I wasn’t in the driver’s seat, He was, and He knew how and where we were going, and that made all the difference to me. I realized that I was never meant to be the driver, the one in control. I was always meant to be a passenger, joyfully going along for the ride.
I have been an ordained minister now for the past thirty-one years. That is a fairly long time to be a student of Christ, and I don’t think it has been time wasted, but if you were to ask me today if I am a better leader than I was when I started on this path, I would have to tell you no, I have always been a pretty awful leader, but I’m a great follower! I follow Jesus as closely as I can. I have been doing that since 1979, and I can tell you with great certainty that Jesus has been very, very good to me and my family and has blessed us in all our comings and goings so if you follow me while I’m following Jesus, then I’m convinced you’ll be okay.
So if we aren’t meant to drive or try to control or direct things, and we’re not supposed to be afraid or worry about all the things that we honestly have never had control over, then what should we be doing in these unprecedented times? Well, there is some good news in answer to that question!
At a time when so many people are unemployed, the Lord has work for you to do. Have you ever considered being an ambassador? An ambassador is defined as:
“A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time.”
That means that God wants you to be right where you are, but now with the intention of representing Him and His kingdom to the people around you, and He is offering this incredible position to all the members of His body! But it is a real job and it requires some real commitment. The following is a list of responsibilities and requirements needed in order to do the job well. It is found in Romans chapter 12.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection,* and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.* Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”* says the Lord.
Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:9-21
I can pretty much guarantee that making a serious effort to fulfill this list will not only keep you out of mischief, but will go far in making the ride a real adventure! And even though 2021 seems to be leading us into unmapped territory, believe me when I say that God has not just already been there and done that, He actually designed it and prepared it, and is more than able to navigate us all through it. Just leave the driving to Him!
Comments