Ice Water Anyone?

Deep down in every human being, is a desire to do something of worth that will last beyond this life. According to Spanish existentialist Miguel de Unamuno, “There is an urge in every man to render himself indispensable.”

People think that ‘indispensable’ means they have to do things that receives public recognition with bigness and fame. We think that to so something ultimately worthwhile, we must write a great American novel or pain some artistic masterpiece. There is a common notion that significance in life depends on some kind of public recognition. But such is not the case. Really gratifying deeds are often done quietly and with hardly any recognition. 

Barnabas is a familiar character from the Bible. He never wrote an epistle. He founded no major churches in his life time. And yet Acts 11:24 says this about Barnabas: He ‘was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith; and people were added unto the Lord.” He was a man who never earned a lot of titles, but he certainly earned a lot of testimonies.

Barnabas never did big stuff that would have made him the biblical standout that Apostle Paul became. He was committed to doing what might at first seem like little things for christ and the church. On the other hand, the precious kindness of Barnabas would be remember by those who survived him. If I had a choice of hanging out with either Paul or Barnabas, I would choose Barnabas. I am sure that a nice guy like Barnabas, who was constantly earning testimonies by doing little things, must have been more fun to be around in the long haul. Beside, there is no Apostle Paul without Barnabas! May we become like Barnabas, a man who encouraged people to be better than they really are!

Some of the most significant things we do in life are often ordinary. Happily on the Judgment Day, Jesus will reward a lot of people who hardly remember the important things for which they will be honored. Sending a card of encouragement to someone who is a bit down, baby sitting for few hours for stressed out single mom, calling someone on the phone to show that you care, and giving a glass of ice water in the name of Jesus! These are some things we do that we hardly remember doing after they are done. But the people we do them for often remember, and Jesus never forgets! 

Disciple Church, be faithful in the ordinary! Be faithful in lending a hand… calling to show that you care… sitting next to a new comer to show the warmth of His church…etc. No one may see it. But that does not matter, because Jesus sees it all! It is He who said, “If you have done it unto the least of my brothers you have done it unto me!”

Ice water anyone? Blessings. Live with Passion!

Go For It!

In the book of Exodus and Numbers, we discover children of Israel at the edge of the Promise Land. Moses sends 12 spies across the Jordan River to survey the land.

When the twelve spies return, they give a report on what they had seen. Ten of the twelve spies are horrified. In fear and trembling, they give a report on giant warriors. In their minds, they determined, to challenge the people in the land was foolish as surely it’ll lead to death. They said, “It’s foolish! We can’t win. Moses, did you bring us out of Egypt to kill us in the hands of these giants?” Ten spies were afraid to take risks needed to possess the Promised Land, which God had set apart for them and their children.

But Joshua and Caleb were different. They saw the same giants the ten spies saw; yet they were filled with confidence and determination. They said, “Let’s do this. Let’s go for it!” They held on to the promise of God. They were filled with faith. They resonated with the challenge that lay before them. They were not afraid to accomplish God’s dream. They remind me of Daniel’s three friends who, in the midst of certain data in a fiery furnace, said, “Even if God does not save us, we will not bow down to you!” They were filled with courage and faith!

Joshua and Caleb were risk takers. They would become the heroes of God among the people of God. They challenged the status quo and lived out a dream God has seeded in their hearts! They were willing to climb an insurmountable obstacles to live by the promise of God, who led them out of even greater obstacles, Pharaoh and Egypt! They were letting God given dream to pulse and breath! They were risk takers.

But what if they fail and people mock them? Mockers are not important! Mockers never make any differences. Critics change nothing. They only point out problems, but who can’t do that? Even a five year old can do that. The promise land belongs to those who take risks, whose face is marred with dust and sweat, covered in blood, who strive valiantly while daring everything, who may err and fall, but who has done his/her best! Their place will never be among those who are lukewarm and timid, who know neither victory nor defeat!

I love Nike’s slogan - “Just do it!” What is God calling you to do right now but you are too afraid to even try? Just do it! What is humming in your heart but the humming is drowned by the sound of fear? 

Just do it!

Never allow your fear to drown your God given dream! God is calling each one of you to ‘go for it.’ The Promise Land is waiting for you. Live with passion!