Have you ever been asked to do something that you have never done before?
When Janet asked me to write the opening article for the November Silent Visitor two thoughts came straight to my mind, why ask me and what would I write. The first answer came quickly in the form of another question, why not me? The second, I answered myself, let’s start tapping the keys on the computer and see what comes out. You never know what you can do until you try.
While sitting having lunch with some friends the other day I was looking around the restaurant walls and noticed three posters:-
Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain
It’s never too late to live happily ever after
When Jesus chose his disciples, he chose ordinary people like you and me; he didn’t look for the highly educated or the professionals, just men from everyday walks of life. The disciples didn’t ask why me, or what can I do, or why can’t you ask somebody else? They just got on with it, without any real insight into where it would lead them, or what the outcome would be. Now that’s what I call trust, or real faith. Jesus called and they answered, “Yes Lord”.
During the three years that this small group spent with Jesus, He taught them all sorts of things, but most of all he taught them to love and to trust God. Now imagine how they felt when he was arrested and violently slaughtered. Would we run away and hide and pretend we didn’t know Jesus? Or would we stand up and be counted? The disciples sheltered from the storm for a few days, but then with the aid of the Holy Spirit they learned to dance in the rain. They were suddenly braver, stronger and smarter than they could have possibly imagined. Jesus left his disciples with a great commission to go and make disciples of all nations and teach them to follow his commands. If we take up this challenge we will live happily for ever in the presence of God our Father.
David Lock