John 17:20-23
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
The Choice is Yours...But the Consequences...are Ours
Earlier today, I got one of those calls that no one ever wants to get. A friend called to tell me that his son had been killed.
As the shock took hold, I found myself not believing it was true. This wonderful young man was gone.
Gone before his life really got started. He wasn’t a gang banger living a violent life. He wasn’t out rough housing or in the wrong place at the wrong time. He wasn’t driving recklessly or drinking. He was riding his motorcycle home. He was struck by a driver who didn’t see him.
Now, this message could be a plea to take a second look for cyclists and pedestrians. It could be, but it isn’t. It could be a plea for you to pull over before you read that text message. It could be, but it isn’t. It could be a plea for you to remember that the kids are in their seat belts and the cup is already spilled so you reaching back isn’t going to change anything. It could be. It isn’t.
This message is about the car driver and the choice he or she made. I don’t know why that driver didn’t see this young man and his friend on the motorcycle. All I know is that the car driver made a choice to turn without absolutely ensuring the way was clear. And that choice impacted the driver’s life, my friend’s life and even your life.
Dear ones, as the Body of Christ, we are connected. The choices you make affect the whole body. Any decision you make for or against your purpose and calling in Christ has an affect on everyone else, no matter how insignificant the decision may seem to you. Just as this driver’s choices changed so many lives, so do yours.
I’ll give you a less severe picture…ever notice that when you have a headache, your whole body is affected? Your feet don’t hurt, but you don’t feel like walking. Your eyes are fine, but you’d prefer to keep them closed. You don’t want to hear anything loud or high pitched. Your body just doesn’t work right, even though it’s just your head that hurts.
Still not convinced? Ok, try this. Tie your toes together for a day and see how easy it is to walk. Spend one day chewing your food on just one side of your mouth. Put in earplugs and go through your day. Again, you might accomplish all that you set out to do, but a singular, relatively minor change will have an affect on every action you take and it will change how you get things done.
Christ prayed to the Father that we would be one even as He and the Father are one. To function best, we need every single member of the Body operating according to the Master’s plan and design. Otherwise, we move along hobbled; less effective.
I don’t know what this young man’s calling and purpose in Christ was to be. I don't understand why this happened, nor do I blame God. I do receive that all things, even wrong things, do work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. I also know that my ways and thoughts are not God’s and that His are well beyond me. Some things truly are beyond words and human understanding.
But, after reading this, you might take a moment to take that second look in the rear view mirror to make absolutely sure nothing and no one is coming. You might wait until you park to read that text message. You might keep your hands on the wheel instead of trying to grab something behind you. All of those would be good outcomes and could spare the life of someone else’s child. Maybe your child. Maybe mine.
Or, you might even decide today…right now…that you’ll stop fighting your calling in Christ and you will take your rightful place in your destiny and you’ll set in motion a series of effects that you may never fully comprehend until you step into eternity. Only God knows how many lives your decision for Him could impact.
Will you make that choice? Will you choose Christ and His will over your own? Or will you stick with the idea that it really doesn’t matter much since it only affects you…even though you know that’s not true.
If you are reading this, then my decision to yield has affected you. Who will your decision affect?
Joshua 24:14-15
Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Peace.
Sis. Stephanie Robinson
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Fellowship Church
455 HWY 138 Suite C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor
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