Tuesday, January 6, 2009

If life were a rowboat...

The christian life and mission is quite simple. Sometimes we like to glamorize it or put our own "spin" on how we communicate it, but the reality is it stays quite simple.


Reach the Lost & Teach the Saved


It's not hard to remember. It's not hard to say. It's not even hard to spell. But, somehow we have made it hard to live out. I think it's important to note that the Great Commission that Jesus gave to his disciples wasn't just a corporate command, but a personal one as well. Each and every believer should take the words of Jesus as a person charge:

"... go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:19-20

This might be better stated as the Great Co-Mission, because we're all charged with the same mission from Christ. It is equally as clear that making disciples wasn't the end of the charge, but we are called to baptize them and to teach them!

Now, let's put this idea back into the rowboat analogy...

If the christian life were a rowboat, that the two oars that we've been left with are REACH and TEACH. This is what we were left to do. Yes, get married, have a house, a car, some kids (maybe) and live the life that God has given you, but don't forget the job we were left to do in the process of "living".


If you don't do either of these things, not using either oar, then you are left to the changing tides and currents that will push or pull you wherever they go.


If you only use one oar, yes, you will be working, and accomplishing, but still not really getting anywhere, you're just going in circles and getting tired!


If you use both oars, you will not only be working and accomplishing, but you are also now getting somewhere and that is what is both powerful and motivating.


If you take the time to recognize that the oars and direction of your life is your responsibility, the question I have for you is:


"Where are you going?"

- Just a thought.

1 comment:

Melanie said...

Nice. I like the row boat analogy.