I’m comfortable here in my little world. I like to go through the ordinary of the day without adding drama. I purpose to keep my life simple. Cozy. Safe. Warm. But it seems I’m forgetting something.
I opened my Bible and read the verses.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
I like that part at the end. I like that Jesus himself says he is there always and forever until the end of it all. That’s nice. They words are familiar and comfortable, much like my life. It wasn’t until I finished that I realized I skimmed the beginning in favor of the ending.
The Part I Missed
I went back and read the words, or actually the verbs. See that’s the thing. Everything Jesus says to us involves action.
Go
Make
Baptize
Teach
Ouch.
Well, maybe it isn’t so bad. I reasoned with myself. I do those things. With my kids. In my church. If it’s comfortable.
The problem?
I don’t think God is calling us to comfort here, and if he is, well then, I don’t think Jesus would need to emphasize that He would surely be with us forever.
Why It Matters
When we’re comfortable, we don’t have much of a need for Jesus. But as soon as things get hairy, as soon as the car breaks down, the bank account runs low, or someone gets sick, as soon as we don’t understand the world around us and our place in it, well, that is when I’m great at making sure He’s there.
And I believe He loves that. He loves that we come to him when we’re uncomfortable. But if that’s the only time then we’re missing out. If we’re going to Him to rid our lives of all that rubs us the wrong way, we’re missing out on all the ways He can be there for us.
If we spend all of our time being comfortable are we really doing what He said?
What Did He Say?
Jesus used verbs. He was all about action, even in the quiet moments. In Matthew he calls us beyond the comfortable promises to something more, something bigger, something scarier.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Four verbs. Go. Make. Baptize. Teach. They’re simple enough, but in real life they seem so much bigger.
Going is hard.
It means I have to get up from this cocoon that I’ve built and go out into the world where it’s hot and cold and different and uncertain.
Making involves connection.
It means I have to actually interact with people. People who may not be like me. People who may think differently or be strangers or (even scarier) be part of my community.
Baptizing feels so religious.
I know, it’s not. I know it’s about Jesus, but if I take it this far people are going to know I’m different. And not just a little different. Like full on, hard-core. I’m not good at hard-core.
Teaching seems easy.
At least in Sunday School. But out there in the real world beyond the felt boards and goldfish crackers, teaching about Jesus seems arrogant, and a bit like I’m clomping through the house in my mom’s heels pretending to be something I clearly am not.
No, It’s Not Easy.
All of this action feels hard. And it scares me. But it’s not optional. Faith is like a choose your own adventure book. We may know how it’s all going to end, but the decisions we make along the way affect far more than our own path.
If Jesus wanted us to build a comfortable life that is safe and predictable, He would have mentioned that. Instead He chose his limited red words in the middle of all the black ones to challenge us to be more, to do more than we think we can. And then He reminds us that He’ll be there the whole time. When you know you’re not alone the scary things seem a little less scary.
Next week, we’ll look at how we can put these verbs into practice in our life, even if we have to take baby steps and hold hands!
Scary…yes it seems that way in so many respects. And then He says He will be with me ALWAYS. Oh, can I remember how I am to obey, trust, walk with Him? If and when I do, the Holy Spirit will give me all I need to go…make…baptize…teach. Oh, that I would trust Him to be right with me. He say He will and He will! How easily I forget!
Glad I’m in such good company! 😉 Grateful that He has grace and we can encourage one another!
“When we’re comfortable, we don’t have much of a need for Jesus.” These are definitely uncomfortable times and I’m so aware of my need for Jesus! These 4 verbs are strong ones. I’m thankful for the Lord’s presence with us as we attempt these; it definitely takes courage to live them out.
So grateful for His grace in the process!
I can so relate to this. I like safe, cozy, comfortable. I don’t like challenges. But He calls us to go with Him “outside the gate” and promises to be with us.
Isn’t that the best? He willingly goes into the uncomfortable with us!
Rebecca, thanks for this gentle prompt to keep our eyes on what’s most important right about now. Jesus.
It’s so easy to be overwhelmed by all that assails. Yet, He patiently beckons us, not only to meet our needs but to fill us so we can reach out to others who desperately need His comfort and love.
He sure does!
Fully agree with you on all of this. That’s one thing about being an Army wife, I’ve been kept very uncomfortable, lol, constantly meeting new people and having our worlds upended. Pinned. Such good points here.
I can imagine that would help keep you “flexible” in all things! Thanks for sharing!
That was a nice way to kick our rears into action!
Kicking my own rear too! LOL
I’ve never noticed before that the promise we love so much, that He’s with us forever, was initially given to the disciples He was sending out. So taken within context, this is a promise especially for His servants. We can’t sit passively and expect His promises to just fall in our lap
So true! I have never really thought of it from that perspective! He was sending them out!