The Sunday before last the sermon on Sunday was about the two diciples on the road to Emmaus. Pastor Neil talked about how those disciples desperately needed to hear the news that "Jesus is alive!" and how our world is full of people who need to sit down with Jesus, have their eyes opened, and know that Jesus is alive. (Great sermon, Neil!)For the past week, as I have interacted with people at work, class, play, and even church, that phrase has continued to resound through my head. The need is everywhere. There is depression and hopelessness. I have actually literally started to see chains and ropes of lies, doubt, and hurt binding people. Sometimes I just want wave my hands in their face and yell "Jesus is alive! There is hope! You don't have to live this way!!!"
When these urges come, however, they are immediately followed by a wave of doubt. Can I say that? Is it appropriate at work? Will I offend them if I suggest that they need God? Will I offend them if I suggest that the belief in God they already have is skewed, incorrect? Are these questions even valid or am I just a coward?!
We live in a culture obsessed with tolerance and not giving offense to others. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Some days my head is a chaotic swirl of urges from the Holy Spirit and fears based on cultural training. Add to that the fear that by ignoring cultural mores, I will actually offend people and turn them off of God. I want them to be healed so very much! What if I yell, "Jesus is alive!" and instead of receiving hope, they decide they never want anything to do with God? What if...
Friends, I think I need a little courage. I think that I need to stop asking "What if?" and instead begin asking, "What if I don't?" What if I don't say something and this person never has anyone come to them with a message of hope? What if I don't and God has been slowly preparing their heart for years and they truly are ready to receive hope right at this very moment?
I have known for a long time now that God's ways are not our ways. But have you ever ready the context of that verse? (See below.) God's ways are ways of mercy and healing and joy. Not fear and hesitation and caring about offending others. What if I actually had the courage to tell people that Jesus is alive and they don't have to live in fear or pain or doubt? Would I see the prophecy of Isaiah 55 fulfilled?
Isaiah 55
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me,
and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live. I
will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God,
for he will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the
sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."



