I've had enough...

Recently I’ve been reading the book of Acts. I am always amazed that the no matter how many times I have read something, God always brings new truth out for me to see. Lately He has been wrecking me, and convicting me, but…. stirring my heart and my imagination for what CAN BE.

Acts 4:13 says, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” All my life I spend so much time equipping myself, trying to learn and grow and be a better follower of Christ. I spend so much time on the equipping, not realizing that I spend so little time on courage.

Matt brought out this last weekend a powerful point in Hebrews 5:12, “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers…” Of all people I should be “teaching” those around me all I can about Jesus! I should be giving what I have away! I am so self-centered and fearful of failure and rejection! How can this be? From my own reading of what happens in the house churches in China and India and in many foreign countries, there are pastors and church leaders equipping and raising up others with passionate faith, and they have less bible knowledge and equipping than our children who have grown up in Sunday Schools and children’s church! I realize from the book of Acts that the missing ingredient for me and for us as Christians in the American church is COURAGE!

I fear the rejection and the repercussions of living courageously for Jesus. I fear the cost. Well I have had enough of fear. I have had enough of self-centered “feed me” American Christianity. I have had enough of staring enviously at those disciples who were uneducated ordinary men, and the incredible impact they had on our world. The disciples spent three years with Jesus and then changed everything because they lived radically dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit, and they knew that if they would GO out courageously, God would meet them there powerfully.

I’m going! And I know God will meet me there, too!