In Lecrae's album "Anamoly," the final track is titled "Messengers." I take a lot of inspiration from this song, because it brings to light the life, hope, and excitement of the calling that we have been given.
One of my favorite lines says, "Speak out, though we've never been qualified to do it; I ain't earned it, I was loved into it, I'm brand new!"
We are ill-equipped for the task set before us. We aren't qualified. Like Moses, we may have trouble speaking; like Lot's wife, we may desire the things left behind; like David, we may fall to temptation. We don't have the qualifications to be on God's team or pursue the calling He's given us. The Bible says that all of our righteous deeds, the best of our ability, amounts to filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
I was explaining to my Bible study the other day that we cannot wash away our own sins as we discussed salvation. It'd be like trying to clean up a mess with a dirty rag. It just spreads the mess around; we cannot clean the dirty with the dirty. That's how Jesus fits in.
See, He made us clean. He purifies and cleanses us. Even King David recognized this truth, when He says, "Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." - Psalm 51:7 (HCSB)
And now that we are made clean by Him, we are called by Him to share with others the cleanliness from sin that He's brought into our lives. To wade through the trenches of another's struggle, bearing their burden, showing them that we are willing to get dirty in their circumstance out of love and grace. Because that's what Jesus did for us. He came to this earth to show us that He cared, and to walk through every trial we'd face so that He could relate to His creation.
But He never compromised. He never gave up His sinlessness. He helped many, got dirty with their hurt and pain, but never with their sin. We should model that; getting real with others, engaging them where they are, but never compromising.
"How will the people know if we don't tell them; if we fail them? They stumbling in the dark, but the light is what we carry!" - Lecrae
If we don't engage others in a real and personable way like Christ did, we are failing them. How could they know without seeing? Without hearing? Without experiencing Christ, sin isn't a choice; it's a predisposition. After salvation, however, sin becomes a choice; and we need to show others that they too can choose life, if they accept Jesus! We need to get in the trenches with others! Get uncomfortable and engage them!
Ephesians says that our feet should be sandaled with readiness for the Gospel of Peace. We need to be ready to go, and whenever God calls us. Sometimes it can be inconvenient, and to be honest, I too often fail to follow through when God calls me to be uncomfortable or to go at inconvenient times.
But Jesus always had an answer. He was always willing. Always ready. He was uncomfortable and was called at often inconvenient times, but He was always telling others about the Father and Himself. He is the forerunner of messengers.
Before the era electronics, messengers were fit, fast young men who ran from person to person delivering letters to those that needed them. They needed endurance. They ran for miles, and for many days. They were uncomfortable; sleeping where they could, getting food and water when they were able. They knew where they were and where they were going. They knew where they could find a town, or a well, and how to get there; and how to find the one who needed the message.
But the most important thing to a messenger were his shoes. Running through the wilderness or on paved roads barefoot just wouldn't do. They would quickly develop cuts and infections that could easily kill them if they did so. Shoes made them faster AND safer. Shoes offered protection from the harsh path in front of them.
Shoes are often overlooked as an essential part of a suit of armor. The breastplate protects your organs, and the helmet your head. The chain mail keeps your arms free to move, but unable to be wounded, which keeps you fighting. But even with all of these advantages, the armor would be rendered ineffective without footwear. The knight without shoes would lose.
As messengers, we are called to run God's letters of love and acceptance to those who need it. We need shoes to make us faster and safer; we need to be ready and willing to engage those God loves on any terrain, be it anger, suffering, or self-righteousness. We need to engage them on their own terrain, because they most likely won't engage us on ours; how could they know about the hope and love on which we stand?
Jesus was the greatest messenger this earth has ever known, and now He calls us to follow in His footsteps. Let me leave you with the verse that parallels my desire to #LiveItLikeJesus: "The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked," - 1 John 2:6 (HCSB). It's time to strap on our sandals and live out our calling to be messengers.
Superb. I love your writing style! Keep at it brother!
ReplyDeleteThank you brother!! God bless you today!
Delete