Reading: Mark
16:14-16
“He upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because
they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to
them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.
The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not
believe will be condemned.’”
In what ways does our personal lack of faith hinder not only our own
lives but also those around us? Like the disciples we may believe in Jesus and
yet still resist His words.
To trust them. To live them. To share them.
To a whole creation!
How? Some of us are so bold in personality that we come across like
hammers and frighten listeners away as we point fingers at sin and demand
immediate repentance. So are some of us so timid that we clam up our faith from
honest seekers for fear of failure or embarrassment. Or so self-centered that
we pick and choose to whom we will share good news.
All focused on ourselves instead of trusting in His Spirit to guide us
and use us—usually in circumstances far beyond our comprehension. So that we
don’t interfere with His good news given to each individually. So we don’t
interfere with His light piercing the lies and darkness.
We are not all called to be ministry evangelists but we are all called
to live our days in faith: ready to give an answer—ready to share—ready to
pray—ready to introduce anyone to His
saving grace.
Or does our own unbelief put up barriers of hardness and condemnation
and selection?
Lord, please forgive our silence when we should speak and quiet our self-centered
rhetoric we rehearse. Instead may our hearts be so filled with Your truth that
our words and our actions live Your good news with open welcome.
Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:5
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that
God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.”
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