So recently I started meeting with a mentor, my pastor’s wife. Neither of us have ever been in these roles (mentor/ mentee) before. As of late I’ve been feeling like an encourager, but not really having much encouragement (except for a few, including Scott). I’ll explain why a little later.
My mentor and I are going through The Warrior’s Journal together (I’ll email it to anyone who’s intrigued). The first thing I told her was that I’ve never felt like a warrior. It’s just not a part of my personality… I’m happy-go-lucky, get along with everyone, doesn’t make waves. You get my drift.
The first thing I said I wanted to do in this new relationship was start memorizing Scripture together. I felt it was imperative to hold the sword if I wanted to become a warrior. So far I’ve got a few verses down, and it’s exciting to see how God breathes his word into me, and makes it really personal.
And then we said we would just read the Journal during the week and discuss points that jumped out at us when we meet. Well, when I read today’s entry I couldn’t help but tell you guys why I’m a revolutionary, not just an encourager.
Some of you will get angry, some will get excited, some will be encouraged when I tell you that Jesus was a revolutionary; He was in the thick of the battle every day. He loved and cared for the poor, desperate, the needy, the sick. But he offered a strong dose of truth to the comfortable, the content, the “religious.” Jesus said among many harsh things, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” And “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” And my favorite, “All men will hate you because of me.”
You can see by these words that Jesus wasn’t a pushover (like most Christians think they’re supposed to be… turn the other cheek and all). Jesus came to make the comfortable very VERY uncomfortable. His words were a dagger to those who thought they could do life on their own, they had everything they needed and didn’t want to be challenged to give it all up to follow him.
The people who have the least to lose were encouraged by Jesus’ words. His words lacked security for the rich and powerful (and if you’re American, you are rich and powerful! Just ask someone in a third world country.) This kind of challenge was met by the rich and powerful bringing Jesus to the cross. Wow, some pretty harsh words Jesus must have said in order to get him sentenced to death.
So, I’ve noticed why my encouraging words of late have been turned into ammunition against me. I am using a provoking encouragement. I want to bring everyone I know to the point that they’ll answer Jesus’ call to “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” As the Journal also says “revolutionaries don’t coddle people into action.” We are meant to be forceful with the sword, and bring believers into obedience to build the army against Satan!
To the church in Laodicia God said, “because you are neither hot nor cold I will spit you out of my mouth. You’re either all in or your not. You choose. But I’m going to continue to “encourage” my community, because I love you and want to see you become revolutionaries, to recognize the battle that is going on around you (and in you), to step into the battle that is going on, and to fight for your loved ones, the truly desperate (because they don’t know they are). Maybe someday, I’ll see you fighting for the sick, the needy, the poor. And I won’t be suprised.
Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable. Be honest with yourself, which one are you?
