I recently heard a talk-radio host, who is a Christian that has a show on secular radio, ask his listening audience what their favorite Bible verse is. It was interesting to hear the responses of the callers, most of whom were Christian. The verses quoted were largely related to God taking care of us (Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 23, Luke 6:38, and so on). Not that there is anything wrong with clinging to verses like these that get us through hard times and life in general, but Christianity is more than fire-insurance from Hell, and licking our wounds every day. We were created to serve Almighty God. We are part of a divine plan that we would not believe, even if it were told to us (Habakkuk 1:5). We were miraculously and precisely designed (Psalm 139) for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).
I strongly believe that we were each individually created with a Godly purpose locked inside us that releases and unfolds throughout the course of our life as we allow God to work in us, and through us. This process requires us to spend time in His Word, and time in prayer. When God’s Holy Spirit is allowed to guide us (John 16:13), we begin to participate in God’s global plan of salvation (John 3:17).
I have often said that the litmus test for our devotional lives is measured by our desire to see the lost reached. Why? Because our flesh will never motivate itself to evangelize. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
We might see pictures of starving kids, or hear crazy missionary stories of what happens in all those villages around the world, and be moved for a moment. But it takes the love of God, penetrating to our core, then transforming us, in order for us to become witnesses for Him.
The majority of this generation is without a Savior. Untold millions are living and dying without even hearing the name of Jesus Christ. My favorite verse? Acts 1:8. It reminds me of where our power comes from, and what I am supposed to do with it while I have breath.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth.
