What’s Important Now (WIN)
What’s Important Now (WIN)
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
Pretty simple right? Pretty direct. It doesn’t say how we are to preach the gospel, just that we are to go into all the world and to every creature.
I think we often get hung up on the little things. Yes, we should always strive to do better and to be better in our walk with Christ. We should learn more, disciple more and grow every day.
But should we be so critical of the way a person dresses to come to church, or how many services they attend a week or that their worship music is more worldly than ours? Of course we want everyone to walk as we walk, but is it truly realistic? And is that what really is important?
Sure, doctrine and biblical principles are extremely important. That’s not my message here. The fact that people begin a walk with God is.
For me, biblical principle and doctrine are exactingly important. For me.
I need that in my life. I need to get up four hours before everyone else in my house and pray. I need to listen to sermons throughout the day. I need to read my Bible and go to church. I need that in my life right now. It’s the closeness I desire and the structure I demand. I need the Bible and God in my life just about every second.
I would love for everyone to do even more than I feel I do. But if I focus on what they aren’t doing, I miss what they are doing in their walk. The important thing is that people are desiring a walk with God and that they actually take that initial step.
I’m so proud of the people that just start. Maybe they start with an online app on their phone, or visit a church with their family or like our son, attend a Catholic school but considers himself a Christian.
I don’t believe you have to have an overwhelming amount of information to start your walk with God. Mine started out with one foot in front of the other. And sometimes that first step is overwhelming and scary.
It’s important sometimes for us to look around and see the conversations being had about religion, not pointing out the ones not being had.
I’m so proud of my wife who prays and reads daily. I’ve watched her faith grow through a wretched event in her life, where normally it would have been stifled. Nevertheless, because of my dire need, we headed together through some uncomfortable moments into religion. She knew it was necessary for me, albeit uncomfortable for her. No matter the reason, we pursued God together.
Too often we point out people’s shortcomings or faults instead of looking at how amazing their attempts are. I would tell Ashley to get up earlier, or read more, because that’s what I needed. I didn’t take into account all that she was already doing. And I couldn’t be more pleased with where and how far she’s come.
We are too eager to give advice most often than not. Instead of listening and encouraging someone’s journey, we advise them to do more or to do it differently. We tell them about our walk, our achievements our struggles. I am guilty of this excited share takeover. Life isn’t always about us. Our excitement in God should always be great. But we should also be just as excited for those who are just learning to walk.
Side note here - I do believe we should give advice when or if someone is headed down the wrong path in their walk.
Don’t crush someone’s desire to walk with God because they don’t do it the way you do or how you do it. If their love for Jesus is genuine we should encourage the walk, not the way they walk. At some point we can talk about where they are walking.
My daughter has visited a non-denominational church with her husband and kids. She uses biblically-focused curriculum in homeschooling. Do I agree with everything about a non-denominational church? No. But I’m glad she is going. Why? Because it started the conversation we are having.
Some people would persuade against her attendance at this church. They would try and pull her from it. For me, for now, I’m excited that she’s going and that she’s going with her family. It’s engaged a conversation between us about prayer life and bible reading. If she didn’t desire to go to this church, I’m not sure we would have had these talks.
I can suggest the things I’d rather her do, but would I prefer the conversations stop?
What’s really important is that the conversations about God are happening.
Give somebody a compliment today and share the gospel with them. It just might brighten two people’s day. Look at what’s really important now.
“Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.”
Joel 1:3
“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.”
1 Chronicles 16:9-11