"That is why I have come."

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. - Mark 1:35-39

This verse follows right after a telling of how Jesus cast out demons, healed Peter's mother-in-law and healed people. All that took place the day before. The next day, the disciples all go out looking for him and tell him that all these people are looking for him.

I have this scene in my head of Jesus looking up from his prayer time, still on his knees, staring into the faces of his disciples, all of them giddy with glee at the fact that they are part of this awesome gathering of people and are witnessing a powerful move of God, and when people come looking for Jesus to do more, they eagerly run out and start to look for him so he can do more of what he did yesterday. Do the miraculous.

How often do we go to Jesus looking for a dog and pony show. Heal me, do the miraculous, perform a trick for us, like a bunch of children watching a magician?

I love the response he gives. "Let's go somewhere else." Could you imagine the look on the disciples faces. From stunned to shocked to silent. Their thoughts probably the same as ours in that situation. "What do you mean somewhere else, do you see all the people here?", to "But they came to see you, why not do a few things, and make sure that we can keep the numbers."

Jesus' response. "I came to preach, not show off. I want change lives, from the inside. I want people to know my Father in heaven. That's why I came. Not to do magic tricks." Now, I am not saying that all he did was magic tricks. I am saying, how often do we get caught up in the miracles of God, and not the work of God.

Spreading the gospel.

Like Jesus.

One of those.. woooo .. moments

You ever had one of those days.. just nothing seems to be going right. You're tired, you're frustrated, you just can't see the end of the tunnel and you know that the light is really a train coming at you? Had one of those yesterday. Kinda still having one today, truth be told.

But, I found some time out of the day to stop and pray a little. Try to refocus, try to get back to what's important. So I offered up my moment of silent petition, sure that through all the turmoil, I would just have more turmoil on the other side. And I did. My day didn't seem to get better, it just kept right on going.

I finally got a break toward the end of my day, and opened up my Google reader and read my well over due reading for the day (which was about 16 days late). It happened to be Ezekiel 33 and 34 and 1 Peter 5. Talk about God showing up. I read it like I haven't read anything in a while. Devoured it. Couldn't stop.

Why? Well, part of my prayer was for God to clarify my situation. And He did just that. Those versus were like God Himself going.. see, here it is.. just a reaffirmation really, but man, you just got to love those 'woooo' moments.

TRUTH

Just reading a few things today, and something came to mind.. an acronym for truth that might have something more to it.

Tough
Relational
Uncompromised
Thoughtful
Honest

For truth to be effective, it has to exhibit all those points. I am sure there are more, but I like how that sums up.

Are you willing...

God has called you. He prepared a way for you to come to Him. He is running down the road toward you.

Will you desperately pursue Him? Will you abandon all else to run to Him? Will you embrace the call that is drawing you home into His open arms?

The work of the cross behind us, the throne of God before us, will you heed the voice of God in your life, regardless of where it might lead you?

He did not call you to safety, security, comfort levels, or peace the way the world would understand these things.

He has called you out of darkness, He has called you out of death.

He has called you to war. He has called you to live dangerously. He has called you to action.

Wake up. Hear where He would have you go. Hear what He would have you do.

Step up, step out. Go!

And then, when you step across the door of eternity and stare the creator in the eyes you can hear these words that He will say to you...

"Well done. Enter into your rest."