Bus theology … Numero Dos
Boxing match número UNO ,fighting to get on the bus. Boxing match número dos ,surviving the ride. We got used to getting on the busses in China , pushing and all , but being on the bus was part two , this called for extra prayer, balance when standing , and premature signs of aging. The bus drivers were legitimately crazyyyyy, traffic laws and regulations are foreign concepts to them , red lights in their language means speed up, pedestrians definitely don't have the right away and lanes were non existent, as they weave in and out of traffic . Personally I think they were trying to make some extra cash on the side, by making side bets with the other bus drivers. Dude how close can you get to the car next to you without hitting it ? I honestly think the people on the bus were closet prayer warriors, because it's a miracle that they never rear ended or side swiped the cars next to them . The drivers also made sure they got their money's worth out of their horns, as they honked at everything in site, and cut off cars like it was cool, as my brother Jason would say . As crazy as their driving was , their road rage was also non existent, there were no middle fingers to accompany their less than high preference tendencies , and accidents were rare, how is this possible? This is only possible because they have no fear of offending the other drivers , they have a mutual understanding of the purpose they have to accomplish.
God totally related this to my faith , A. it is very important for me to know and understand the purpose He has for me daily , and B. Lack of fear allows me to stop at nothing, until my purpose is accomplished.
As my walk with the Lord continues to grow so does my knowledge and understanding of perfect love . I used to think that love was JUST bubble gum, hugs, kisses , and gentleness, which had confined the impact God desired to make through me . I was so worried about offending people and tried my hardest to avoid stepping on anyone's toes, that i would often compromise my faith. I wanted to live out Gods love and spread His will, but with a lack of understanding and filled with fear I was unsuccessful . Now more than ever God is showing me how there is no fear in perfect love , and that I am called to speak His truth, gently but without fear. Perfect love has more than one side, yes it's gentle and hugs and kisses, but it is ALSO firm, steadfast, bold, unwavering , and strong. When fear is removed , movement begins. Rebuke and discipline is one of the most selfless ways to love, because you choose to be the " bad guy " , in hopes to bring them back to the narrow path. The truth is people don't like to be honked at or cut off , but sometimes that's what is needed to get them back in their proper lane.
I want to choose to be someone that gives what is needed, and not necessarily what is wanted, because that is who Jesus is and how He lived His life. He is a man who is compassionate and just, you can't have one without the other. He looked at people and knelt to where they were, but He didn't stay there , He spoke truth and then called them out of their sin. Not for His benefit but for theirs.
Its time to start honking, aka calling people out of the darkness and into the light, because our time here is short , and eternity is forever, and it's coming soon . Its worth being the bad guy here on earth , if that bring a chance of eternity for someone else. Theres no time to be stuck in traffic , watch out cars this bus is on the move!!!
Who in your life has God called you to speak truth into and call out of sin ? The sin that hindered me from doings Gods will was fear and people pleasing ,what is yours?
Proclaim the message ; persist in it whether convenient or not ; rebuke , correct , and encourage with great patience and teaching . For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine , but according to their own desires , will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new . They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths . But as for you keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist , fulfill your ministry .
2 Timothy 4: 2-5
