If Jesus says GO, how can we STAY?
Have you ever had a puppy, or a dog? I had a beautiful Dalmatian named Lacy. She was stubborn, but so smart and so loyal. She quickly learned her name and basic commands like how to sit, and shake, but it was always in hopes to earn her treat or her reward. Yet, even though she was undeniably loyal, and fiercely defensive of any one of us, she just would seemingly refuse to obey the commands of GO and STAY. She knew my voice, that wasn't the problem, and she wasn't trying to be defiant. When she would hear her name, even from another room, her ears would perk up, or she would bounce over for some added attention. But, if I spoke the command GO and pointed in the direction I would want her to run, she would never just break out in a sprint full of trust in my expectation, she would always need to see the ball she should be chasing. If I threw the ball and she did not see it leave my hands, she would simply STAY at my side without moving. This is how many of us in the church live.
God says GO, we hear Him,
we want to be obedient, we trust Him,
we aren't trying to be defiant, yet, we STAY.
This is where Jesus' command gets hard, we are being asked to go without the luxury of seeing the ball and where it is going. God wants us to know His voice so clearly that we are willing to listen to His command to GO, without knowing exactly what the next steps may look like, or where it may take us. It’s like taking the next steps without seeing the whole staircase. This is total trust and total surrender. In the book of Luke chapter 10, He says that He sent out the 72 ahead of Him into the cities where He would be going like "lambs among wolves." Doesn't sound all that safe or fun does it?
GO, just might be the most powerful two letter word ever written.
You find it 1542 times in the Bible. The word "STAY" appears only 62 times.
So if Jesus tells us to GO, and we stay, do we really trust His commands? Are we really being obedient? If we are, we can't STAY in our pews, STAY in our buildings, STAY in our comfort. We must allow ourselves to be challenged, GO out of the doors of the church, GO meet a world where they are, GO allow the uncomfortable to become our new normal.
The word GO by definition is full of action. According to Webster, it is movement on a course, traveling, moving out of or away from a place expressed or implied. Are you willing to use your life to take action? What place may God be asking you to move out of or away from? Is it a job that isn’t fulfilling His purpose or plan for your life? Could it be material possessions that weight you down with responsibilities that prevent you from being the vessel He created you to be? Is it a relationship that quiets the voice He gave you? Maybe it isn’t anything external, maybe you are like me and simply gripped with fear that if you GO, you won’t like where you end up. In all truth, I wrestled with every one of the above scenarios. I can’t tell you I have arrived at the promised land. However, I can assure you with confidence that real fulfillment is discovered in each step of obedience. I challenge you today to take one step towards Jesus’ command in Luke 10:3 and GO - don’t STAY where you are.
Over the next couple months, I’ll be writing a series of blogs sharing my experiences and observations along with excerpts from GO! in hopes of reminding the church of her first love and sharing a more effective method of reaching people far from God. People are more desperate for Him than ever before.
Reserve your pre-sale copy now. If you would like more information about being a GO! Church, Please send us a message and someone will get right back with you. Stay tuned.
