In This For Good

They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers. (‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ MSG)

Commitment is crazy scarce in our culture these days. When things get rocky people run for the hills. If that sounds like you then you're in good company.

When Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26) his disciples scattered. They just flat split. Even Peter, his best friend, sold him out, denying him when the going got tough.

If you have ever split, quit, or cut your losses—which narrows it down to just about everyone that breathes oxygen and falls under the description "human being"—then you and the disciples have a lot in common. They were quitters. But they didn't stay quitters.

In the Book of Acts the early church historian Luke paints a vivid picture of a dedicated body of brothers whose undying devotion to the Gospel flipped the world upside down. But it's the same guys that left Jesus high and dry in the Garden. What changed?!

They experienced the resurrected Jesus. They had quit on Jesus, but Jesus wouldn't quit on them. He walked right into the room, declared his identity, deity, and design for their lives, and charged them all with a Holy Mandate, a Great Commission.

Each of them made an about face. They went 180. They flipped the script, settled their heart's compass on true north, and went ALL IN.

They agreed. They were in it for good. Hell or high water. Pain, persecution, and martyrdom would follow all of them. Every last one. But they agreed. They were in it for good. Because Jesus makes quitters into world changers.

If you struggle with commitment, you don't need more guilt. You don't need better reasons to stay in the mix. You need an encounter with the risen Jesus. Ask. He'll help. He hasn't quit. He's in this for good.

The Best

I've been in a graduate program at the local university for the last four semesters. What began as a cool way to meet new people has turned into a personal challenge and a fun way to learn new stuff or improve old stuff. Today I turned in a project for class and allowed myself a brief sigh of relief. It was a milestone that marked the halfway point in the semester. Then I realized that there are still five projects that have to be completed. Combined the amount of work left to do easily doubles the amount I have already done. The kicker? I have about half as much time to do it. Have you ever gotten pretty excited about something prematurely? The reality of the situation will let the wind out of your sails. What do you do? For me it means sucking it up, getting extremely intentional about the next six weeks, and doing the best work I have ever done. After all, I'm supposed to be doing everything for the glory of God by giving it my best right? Right?

Have you ever known someone that completely quit on something because it required too much of them? I have been that guy before, but not recently. Not even in the last several years. Why? Because God took a deficiency in me and shaped me through it. Shaped me to embrace difficulty, not welcomingly, but in a way that offers opportunity to exalt Him. To let my love for Him shine through whatever I set my hands to do, by doing my best.

These last several weeks have been gloriously intense. Busy is an understatement. But it's been beautiful. The next six weeks will be even more intense. I am ready. I'm actually pretty excited. The best is yet to come.

January 27 - Waiting for Jesus

Read: Luke 2:25-38

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32 ESV)

Simeon had been waiting a very long time to see Jesus. He had believed for years that he would live to see the days of the Messiah, and then one day out of the blue Mary and Joseph showed up with the baby Jesus. The old believer got so excited, he scooped his infant Lord up and under the power of the Holy Spirit began to worship him.

Can you imagine waiting for something for so long? Have you ever got impatient waiting for something that wasn't even that important? We all have. Simeon had waiting so long to see God's promise fulfilled in his lifetime. He kept waiting. He kept believing. And one day he got to experience Jesus.

How fast do we give up? How easy do we quit? In truth we often we give up too fast on the things that are the most important. Let's face it, we live in a microwaveable fast food world where convenience, amenities, and information are easily attained. Many of us are completely unfamiliar wi the kind of patient faithful waiting that Simeon demonstrated.

What if he had quit waiting? What if he had given up just a day too early? He would have missed Jesus. Don't stop believing for whatever it is God has put in your heart. Just wait. Be faithful. He is worth it.