One of the things the Zoe ministry blessed our team with last month was a daily morning devotional given by the various missionaries there. One of my favorite mornings was led by Micah.
Micah and his wife, Melissa, are missionaries in Costa Rica from New Orleans. They have been here with their 2 young children for a few years now and run a pregnancy clinic out of their home. Micah also is involved with a Christian Hip-Hop studio called House of Raw in downtown San Jose, where they do monthly dance-offs, daily classes and hold a bible study every Sunday.
We started this particular morning by reading Numbers 16: 41-50, in which the Israelites rise up against Moses so the Lord tells Moses to step out of the way so He can kill them.
I know what you’re thinking. That’s a little extreme.
I thought so too.
But the reality is, when we sin – when we disobey God, our punishment should be death. Fortunately, Jesus came and took our punishment for us, so by believing in Him, we can be saved.
But in Moses’s time, this wasn’t an option.
So I asked myself: If God told me to step aside while He punished (or killed) someone, what would I do? Would I step aside and watch? Would I look away? Would I pray for them? Or would I take action?
Moses immediately instructs Aaron to light a torch and run “full steam ahead” into the midst of the crowd of Israelites to intercede for them, literally as they are beginning to fall from the plague. In verse 48 it says “And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.”
Aaron could’ve died! But he risked it all to save them from death.
How many of us would have done that? Or would we just step aside and let them die?
But, you see, as a Christian, that is what we are called to do! We are called to take risks for the sake of the Gospel.
There are lives at stake!
I recently heard the quote from well-known atheist and magician, Penn Jillette, who gave a talk on his support of evangelism saying:
“How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”
As a Christian, I believe with all my heart that Heaven exists and that the only way to get there is through Jesus. Now, you can disagree with me, but if I believe this to be truth, then my desire to share this with someone is not coming from a place of “I’m right and you’re wrong” it’s coming from a deep love for others and the desire to see them have access to Heaven as well.
It’s my opportunity and choice to share; it’s your decision to choose whether or not you agree.
Micah then told us a story about a time when he was out surfing and his mind was so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he chose to ignore the surfers around him that were trying to get his attention. He was so busy thinking about his own stuff that he couldn’t be bothered to talk to them. As a result, he missed the opportunity to save a girl who was struggling in the water, when he happened to be the person closest to her. Fortunately, another guy was able to paddle out from the beach, pass Micah, and get to her in time, but it was an eye opening experience for him. His missed an opportunity God had given him to save someone.
How many opportunities has God given me to save someone that I have missed?
How often are we so preoccupied within our own selves and our own circumstances that we fail to see the people around us? Our thoughts are consumed with how little sleep we got last night, or the anxiety at work, or the fight we had with a friend, or why a relationship ended, etc. that we either can’t or we choose not to be fully present in the moment.
These people around us aren’t just extras in the movie of our lives and what we are doing, they are people God has placed there for a reason. For an opportunity to flash a smile and say hello or to strike up a conversation with and ask them about their day.
You never know who around you needs saving.
It could even be you.
God always wants us to help Him, but if we are disobedient and refuse to say yes, that’s OK. God doesn’t need us to do anything and He will still get the task done. He will find someone else who will say “yes.” But He’s inviting each and every one of us to join Him in His plan. It’s up to us whether we will jump in and risk it all, or sit back and watch as someone else does it.
How many people and opportunities have I missed while being preoccupied with my current circumstances or so bogged down with the ministry tasks in front of me that I’ve forgotten to see the people around me that I’m actually serving?
We need to learn how to live every day for Jesus and for the people He puts in our path, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in.
I’m still learning what this looks like in my own life, but I’m committed to the process and the anticipated transformation it will bring.
It may not always be easy, but God promises it will be worth it.
