Life on Mission: Pray
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
If
you Google “Jalen Watts-Jackson”, you will find pages upon pages of links. In
case you don’t know, he is the Michigan State player who scored the improbable winning
touchdown on a blocked punt with ten seconds left in the game against their in-state
rival Michigan.
Immediately
following the game there was a firestorm of social and traditional media activity
showing the play. Since then, it has appeared on social media, You Tube, ABC’s
Good Morning America, Fox News, local news and too many others to list. Word of
this play, and Jalen Watts-Jackson, spread like wildfire.
In
today’s passage, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians asking them: “Finally, dear brothers, as I come to the
end of this letter, I ask you to pray for us. Pray first that the Lord’s
message will spread rapidly and triumph wherever it goes, winning converts
everywhere as it did when it came to you.”
At
the time, things were moving fast for Paul, so he asks the Thessalonians to
pray for the rapid spread of the Gospel. Not just the spread of the Gospel, but
the “rapid spread”. The same prayer can be requested for us today.
Consider
Jalen Watts-Jackson for instance. He was injured during that final play last
Saturday. He couldn’t even celebrate he was in so much pain. In fact, he both
dislocated and broke his hip requiring season ending surgery the next day. His
platform is sports and here is what he posted on Instagram following his
surgery:
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks
in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you." Very bitter sweet end to my season. This morning I had surgery on my
hip putting me out for the season. But if I got the chance I would do it all
over again for my brothers. God has a plan for everyone and I will not question
any obstacles I encounter on my journey”.
Your
platform may not allow you to spread the Gospel nationally, but there are individuals
that know you and will listen to you because of who you are; the kind of person
you are; how you handle adversity; how you live your life; how you treat others.
The
question then becomes, how will you handle your platform? Will you pray for the
rapid spread of the Gospel and act when opportunity knocks? The choice is
yours.
20Thessalonians%203%3A1-5&version=NIV;TLB
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