Step Out and Step Up!

The Voice version of the Bible shares in the comments on these verses, a portion of that commentary follows:

The desire to settle in one place and build a city runs counter to God’s command to spread out across the earth. 

If we read this comment I would imagine many of us could identify with the people of Babel. We want to make a mark on the world rather than conform to God's plan for our lives. But we know we must tell the world about the truth of Jesus. We also know that sometimes that means getting outside our comfort zone, our 'safe place', where we feel content and unthreatened. Stepping out and following the nudge of the Holy Spirit takes courage and faith.

Stepping out often requires us to change our plans; we will need to be more flexible and willing. Wow, those are two words that can make one shudder, especially when we are so content where we are, not to mention, satisfied with our lives. Why would we want to upset this perfect applecart? Where is the sense in that?

I am learning that God doesn't need my permission to change my trajectory. I only need to read the story of the Tower of Babel to know that truth. God wanted his people to step up and step out and they had other ideas. Grandiose plans to gain fame they and don't have to run the risk of being "scattered all over the earth." Genesis 11:4 (The Voice)

God wants us to depend on Him, to turn to Him for all our needs. But when we go out on our own, and do our own thing, we are only dependent upon ourselves. We begin to feel we don't need God in our lives, and we start to do what makes us feel good and not what God has commanded us to do; namely, Make Disciples of all Nations. We can't do that if we are living in our own personal bubble.

Genesis 11:1-8

Revelation 7: 9-12

 Go to People Nothing Like You

Chapter 7 tells of two groups of believers; First the 144,000 representatives of the Godly remnant of Israel. Second, the great multitude of martyred people from every nation who died rather than deny their faith. Saints who knew the power and glory of our God. These saints are people who walked his earth like you and I.

As we make our way through Revelation, and attempt to wrap our heads around what will be, I am brought back to today. There are those who boldly and confidently profess the word of God, and their value is priceless. There are others who quietly believe but also make an impact, by living the gospel, supporting those in need, and gently nudging others toward the Lord. Their lives are challenging, difficult, and often painful as was Jesus' life on this planet. Despite their struggles, they forge ahead in the name of the Lord. 

Verse 9: After this I, John, looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. 

On that final day, it will not matter what color we are or from where we came. As we embrace the vastness and welcome of God's open door for us, we are to offer the same to others, even if it pushes us beyond comfort. The Lord is pleased as he views our struggle to go where he leads us. 

No matter where we are on the belief spectrum, we are called to go..... across the room, the street, the office, the world. Though it may feel safe to stay within our own little Christian bubble, pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone grows us. As we grow, so do the lives of those we reach, and God's family is greater than before! 

Read/Listen to Revelation 7: 9-12