Encounter: Find a quiet place and read slowly or listen to Matthew 9:35-38, chapter 10:1-42 and Mark 6:6-13. Underline any words or phrases that resonate with you. Spend a moment journaling your thoughts bringing them before the Holy Spirit asking to be aware of what God is showing you.
For the month of July I’m cycling and walking at least 3 miles a day to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for research in honor of my daughter, Megan Nicole, who passed from this life to the next almost four years ago. My hope is that no daughter, mother or family has to go through the suffering we witnessed Meg go through, so I ride.
The medications and procedures helping people today are due to the wisdom God gives to scientists and doctors and also from those who feel it will take a village to stop the suffering of so many. But more is needed. I want to join those ranks! 39 miles down and 54 to go and I’m at the halfway mark for my goal of raising $1000 by the end of the month.
One thousand dollars in light of millions needed for research doesn’t sound like it's worth the time and effort, but you never know if the dollar you donate is the one that opens the door to more healing and less suffering.
While riding my bike on the Cardinal Greenway this week, I came across a long line of painted rocks and a sign that said, I’m Roscoe the rock snake, add a painted rock to see how long I can get! And that is exactly what people were doing. Rocks of all different colors, shapes and painted motifs are creating a whole community one rock at a time. I don’t know who started Roscoe, but the invitation that someone put out there grew from just one rock.
I wondered what it would look like to have a sign that simply said, Love begins here, leave your burden, follow Jesus and bring a friend. That could begin a pretty long line. Why wouldn’t we? It's easy to get overwhelmed with the magnitude of brokenness among our neighbors and world that we’re not sure it's worth throwing our dollar in. It's easy to become complacent, thinking someone else will take care of the problems, surely our dollar won’t make that much difference. I’m sure followers of Jesus felt that way at first. But then something happened.
What we see in Matthew and Mark’s account are disciples turning into apostles (sent ones) as they took what little they had and announced to everyone, “The Kingdom of Heaven is near!” Their little with God’s authority caused the world to be turned upside down.
One more dollar, one more rock, one more who learns about the love of God available through Jesus Christ. One more healed, one more no longer confused and helpless, one more coming to know the Shepherd’s care. One more living into their identity as a son and daughter of God.
This Sunday we will reflect on how 12 turned into millions not through the sufficiency of people, but because of their dependence on the authority given to them to do something supernatural or simply give a cup of water to the underserved.
In whatever way the Spirit leads us to “announce” the Good News, we know the harvest is great and so we pray for more workers. Who knows, one day you may look behind you and see a line of those who have decided to leave their burdens, follow Jesus and bring a friend. And it all began with one.
With you in the harvest,
Pastor T
Reflect: In Matthew 10:39 Jesus said if you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Think about what it would mean to give up your life to Jesus. What bearing would this have on the church?
Spiritual Practice: Spend time praying for workers for the harvest, asking God to put people in your path who need to hear about following Jesus.
Gather: Discuss in your small group the principle of Jesus sending people out to do ministry in pair and how the authority of Jesus allows us to do things beyond our own capacity. What are some ways you can see yourself walking this out?
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