MAY 28
He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:19)
At big banquets, dinners, and holidays, when it’s time to eat, someone will inevitably say, “Pastor Craig, would you bless the meal?” Now, I’m certainly happy to pray, but in these situations, I love to turn the tables. “I’d be glad to, but why don’t you pray a blessing on our meal?”
Almost every time I say this, the other person protests, “Oh no, no, no! You’re the pastor and I’m just a regular Christian!” I love seeing people squirm! Maybe it’s because I squirmed for so long whenever God dragged me out of my comfort zone. And so I tell them that I may have more practice praying out loud but that my prayers are no better than theirs.
All Christians are called to be Christ’s representatives here on earth. The message of reconciliation that God has committed to us means we can help other people get right with him. Each one of us is called to help others know who Christ is so they can be whole and made right with God.
If you’re a follower of Jesus, then God has committed you to the message of reconciliation so that others may know him. It’s not easy stepping out in faith and talking about God with other people, but it’s part of who we are as we grow closer to him. Similar to praying in public, don’t worry about the “right words”—just speak from your heart.
Power Lift
Father, I get nervous telling others about you. Give me courage and boldness so that I can help others be reconciled to you through the gift of your Son, Jesus.
Groeschel, Craig. Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel for Your Soul. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017. Print.