Get out of the way!

Good morning. This is a devotional for single adults from Parenting Solo, but the message also applies to single adults without children who may one day marry a single parent and be a step-parent. Feel Free to forward it to a friend.

Scripture: Matthew 10:17-20 (The Message) “Don’t be naïve. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation – just because you believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you – and me – a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.”

Jesus gives his followers plenty of warnings about enemy attacks. In the previous graph, he tells the twelve disciples he is sending off, “Stay alert.” Here, he reminds them “Don’t be naïve.” Whenever Jesus reinforces a statement, it means he wants people to take extra precautions. It’s like a parent saying to a child, “I really, really mean it!” only this time, he really, really does mean it.

People who make the decision to serve God need street smarts, not just book smarts. When my son was growing up, I wanted him to get good grades, but not be naïve to how the world works. Too, Jesus didn’t want his followers to have hurt feelings for being ripped off at inopportune moments. The enemy knows your motives and will be there at every opportunity with distractions. Smearing your reputation is one of his tactics. Jesus says to forget about it, don’t bother.

He says that because we know God uses bad circumstances to bring about good in certain circumstances. Look at the life of Joseph. He is sold into slavery, accused of rape and left to rot in a prison, before his purpose came about. Because he remained faithful for some 17 years, he was able to save family from starvation. Had Joseph defended his reputation to Potiphar or in prison, he might never have become second in command to Pharoah over all of Egypt. Joseph didn’t let his surroundings keep him from trusting God.

That’s how God works sometimes. All these rotten things happen to us, then suddenly, we have a platform to preach his name. Cat got your tongue? Don’t worry about it. Ask God for the right words, and he will open your mouth just so. It isn’t your diction or your eloquent words that bring salvation, it’s God’s message. Sometimes, we just have to get out of the way and let him go. It’s a great feeling to realize you don’t know what to say or do, then say a quick, silent prayer, “I got nothing. You’re on, Lord.” Then you watch a miracle happen right before your eyes. Magical words come out of your mouth. The other person has ears to hear. Viola! Another saint for the kingdom. All because we just got out of the way and let God work.

How does this apply to my life?

Today’s prayer: Lord, help me to know when to just get out of the way and let you work. Help me to have wisdom to see when I need to do that, which is pretty much all the time. Amen

Doug Mead

Parenting Solo

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Vol. 3, No. 77

This week’s reading plan can be found at http:/www.oneyearbibleonline.com/june.asp?version=51