There’s been a central theme lately in my writing, thoughts, and even reading. It all seems to come back to living out our faith with boldness, whatever that may look like in the lives of people and in different situations. And in all this echoes the question: what keeps us from having bold faith? There are many valid answers, but I believe more often than not it’s the simple thought of how we or our actions will be perceived by people. We can scoff all we want as this reason seems to pale in comparison to very real persecution that may be faced elsewhere, and it does. However, any threat that keeps us from living the lives in which we are called is a threat nonetheless, especially one that sounds and seems more innocent. Maybe it’s the people closest to us, maybe it’s our internet followers, maybe it’s complete strangers, perhaps it’s even ourselves with our own expectations or faulty consciences, but I think no matter the group, we are giving people too much authority.
I ran across a verse in Galatians this week that sort of planted an image in my head and I wanted to share it. It’s the very first verse of the book actually, and it states “This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.” That quick intro containing the reminder that it was not people who have appointed us but Christ himself— and God himself— began to take on a new form in my mind.
You know those movies where the protagonist gets mic’d for a mission? Maybe it’s because they wish to uncover the secret plots of the antagonist or maybe it’s so the protagonist can feel more confident asking out the pretty girl who has captured his attention. You’re familiar with the type of scene. And in this scenario, the person with the mic in his ear, however previously terrified and unqualified he felt beforehand, now possesses the overwhelming consciousness that he’s on a mission. And not only is the mission in his forefront, but his attention to the voice in his ear becomes so acute and so centered in everything that he seems to lose fear of any perception around him. All simply because his focus can’t handle both. He doesn’t have the mental capacity to worry over what they think when he’s got to say and do exactly what is being spoken to him. He gets so caught up in the mission laid before him that he loses himself and his inhibitions in the act of obedience.
It occurred to me as this scene played out in my mind, this is exactly what our faith and focus should be like with our Lord. Once we’ve cognitively made the decision to mic up, the mission spoken in our ear by God should become so important and so central to our thoughts and actions that our focus can’t handle the capacity of what we may seem like or look like to others around us. All insecurities in this realm would fall away simply because our mind can’t hold all of it at once. We may be feeble-minded creatures with the inability to multitask much less serve two masters, but I believe this can be to our absolute benefit. If we will allow it.
When we read that Christ himself has appointed us for a mission and allow that truth to fully sink in, how can we not gravitate to him? His voice, while most important and nearer to us, can seem quieter at times with so many others competing for your attention. And so just as it would be necessary at times to plug one ear shutting out all other noises to gain clarification from the words coming through a mic, it will be necessary at times to retreat with his words only. In our lives, this will look like making it a point to consistently read God’s word, purposing to carry it with us through Scripture memory, praying often and honestly, being still in his presence, growing familiar with the ways of the Holy Spirit, acting when we feel prompted, and waiting intently when we do not. The truth of the matter is, we do have a mission, but it was not appointed by people. God has appointed us, and he does speak to us individually and personally. So, let’s don’t miss it simply for fear that we may be misunderstood in the process.
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