Impact!

Impact!

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 KJV

The Inspiration:

Again, we see here that Jesus is addressing his disciples, not the crowd. As always, before I claim promises, I have to be sure that my life aligns with the conditions for the promises to work in my life. Too many times, we make claims on promises that our current practices and activities cannot sustain or justify. We are different people on Sundays and different people on the other days of the week. We know how to keep up false appearances, because we have mastered the practices that the profession of faith requires. We can lift up hands, sing songs of praise, and we can quote the verses that align with the image we want to project, yet, when all is said and done, these are all empty gestures, with no power or effect or backing from God. Why would I expend so much energy on a venture that God does not recognize and will not bless? Am I a disciple, or content with following the crowd?

The Contention:

Jesus makes it clear who is the master and who is the servant. He is the One sending out, not the servant making claims to authority of his/her own. He is the One who defines the place, purpose and practices that align with the assignment He has defined for me. The fact that a place is attractive or physically beneficial to me is not just the only way to know if I am in God's will. There are times when it is even trials and tough times that God will use to remind me that I am at the centre of His will for me. The assignment is His; so is the platform for ministry as well as the audience He wants me to impact and bless. If I can't do it by my own power, skill, intellect or connections, why would I make any claim to impact outside of the One who commissions, empowers and then send out on assignment? Can I do anything of eternal value without the help of the Eternal One?

The Conclusion:

Jesus sends out, and then He also defines how He wants me to go about the work. The verse above says I must be as wise as serpents yet as harmless as doves. There has to be a difference between the way a servant of God operates and the way another one person operates. There are times when the King's business will require haste, and there will be times when patience is the way to go. There will be times when the King's servant must be quiet and seem foolish, and there will be times to advocate positions quite publicly. There will be times to be shrewd in dealing with men, and times when one must confront sin. How would you know what a situation requires if you don't surrender to the One who knows what is ahead?  I must depend on God on a daily basis for all that I need for life and Godliness. I won't make it on my own. God's time of favour is here.