Friday, February 24, 2012

Step Out In Faith

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

-- John 21:21-22

Jesus had just told Peter what he was to do. It wasn’t some little job. Peter was to go out and spread the gospel. Peter was to follow Jesus -- all the way to the cross.

But Peter wasn’t concerned about what he was supposed to do. He wanted to know what John was supposed to do. Isn’t that so like us? We can’t focus on our own tasks because we’re too busy worrying about what someone else might, or might not be, doing.

We constantly compare ourselves to other people. And we never quite measure up or they never measure up to us. Except it’s not a competition. We all are unique with different strengths and weaknesses. Why can’t we embrace our differences and support each other? And why can’t we just get on with what we’ve been told to do.

Ah…there’s the real issue. Procrastination. So long as we’re focused on someone else and what they’re supposed to do, we don’t have to focus on ourselves and what we’re supposed to do. We get to put it off. And off. And off some more.

We’d rather do nothing, it seems, than step out in faith and do what God has called us to do. Maybe we think we’re not capable. But God never calls us to do something without giving us the ability to do it. Or maybe we believe that our assigned task is too small, too insignificant, to matter. We’ll wait until we can do the grand gesture -- that never comes.

You don’t need to wait until you retire to find time to volunteer. Just make a phone call once a week to someone who is lonely. Just give a Saturday once a month or so to help with a missions project. Just invite an elderly neighbor over for a meal every now and then. Start small and see where it goes.

You also don’t need to win the lottery to give money beyond your tithe. If God calls you to give $1 to the Mercy Fund or whatever charitable fund your church has, give it. No amount is too small. Remember that as the body of Christ, we work together. If everyone gives $1, it really starts to add up. You do what you’re supposed to do and let God handle the rest.

We spend so much of our lives making excuses for not doing what we know God has called us to do. Don’t worry so much about what other folks are doing. Just follow where God calls you and see what blessings He has stored up just for you.