Whitewater rafting! Screaming down the first hill of a roller coaster! Going through the gears of a Grabber Orange Mustang GT! Hiking the AT! Listening to Fiddlin’ Carson Peters wear it out on Orange Blossom Special! These are some things I have been able to enjoy in my life and to respond with great excitement and a hearty “YEEEESSSSSS!”
But, you want a genuine, heart-pumping thrill? Sit down for two hours in a local coffee shop and be engaged in discipleship with an individual who is hungry to grow in Christ! WOW!!! That is one awesome privilege and super abundant joy! How thrilling to watch the “light bulbs” come on as the Word is taught, questions are biblically answered, connections are made and next-step application is anticipated! What a joy to see the passion for more! How cool to see honesty and transparency followed up with “I want to change!”
Yes, all those things I mentioned in the first paragraph will cause me to flat get excited, but to participate in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is shoutin’ ground, praiseworthy, awe-inspiring, and a thrill to my soul!!
If you aren’t engaged in obedience to Christ’s final command to the Church, you are missing out on real adventure that has eternal dividends. Who knows, you might even get a bit happy, want to shout, and/or shed some joyful tears, all for God’s glory!
Colossians 1:27-29 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect (complete) in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
From A Pastor's Heart 