In the book of Acts, Peter and John were thrown into prison for healing a crippled beggar and preaching. They were told to stop and they didn't. They were flogged and beaten and told to stop and they couldn't. While in prison, God opened the gates and freed them. They started doing what they do best, preaching, again. Nothing held back the Word and the power of God. So what is holding me back?
I am leaving the country in about 4 months. God has been tearing down walls, healing me, refreshing me, breaking my heart. I want to tell people about that God. For some time now, God has been taking me on a journey of self discovery and teaching me about who He is and who I am. Almost like we have our own Tent of Meeting. I have been trapped in the world around me but I was stolen away to have a long conversation with my friend. I knew it was only a matter o time before he began to push me out the door and into the places where his lost people are. And now, now I have nothing to lose. What could possibly prevent me from praising God and sharing Him with everyone?
I bring this up because I have been overflowing. Filled to the brim with the joy of God, basking in the glory of the Spirit and I am not able to contain it. It doesn't always look like it sometimes but I really have really had a hard time holding it in lately. I like it. I have found myself getting into conversations about Jesus on my school bus with my high school students, sharing with them what I have been learning in the Word, even throwing on some Phil Wickham or Fee on the radio. I wouldn't be suprised if the district said to stop playing "that religious music" but at least for now, they haven't. Praise God. To be honest, I have noticed a few more smiles on my bus than before. I guess the worse that could happen is I lose my job but afterall, what have I got to lose really?
I'm leaving the country in August so time is short and the cards are on the table. My hand is open for all to see. I have only so much time left here to talk about Jesus so I have nothing holding me back. I am free. Hey I just rhymed, that was fun. Anyway, the point is, I want to have a Peter and John life. A life where I know time is short and I have no reason to be held back from speaking the Word of God. That life is getting brighter everyday and I am excited to be overflowing with it.
The Man With Unclean Lips,
Brandon Barnum
