By
Allen White
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to
take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals
or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you
enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you
leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving,
let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If
anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town
and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable
for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” Matthew 10:9-15
Jesus’ disciples went out with no
itinerary. No hotel reservations. (You’d think they would have learned from
Mary and Joseph’s experience.) No rental donkey. No key contact that they knew
of. But, Jesus knew.
Jesus knew some would help and others
definitely would not. His advice: move with the movers. If the person they
approached wouldn’t cooperate, move on. If the person was unwilling, unable,
distracted or just stubborn, they didn’t need to waste their breath convincing
them otherwise. It’s just not the right person.
When my friend, Josh Bradley, decided
to plant Element Church in
Woodruff, South Carolina, he had no building, no members, but a lot of friends
and God who led the way.
On one of his first visits to the town,
Josh met a woman who was very interested in a contemporary church starting
there. In fact, she offer Josh 2,000 square feet of space for the church
office!
Now, Josh wasn’t going door to door on
Main Street looking for office space. He was just checking out the town and
meeting people along the way. On that day, Josh met a “worthy person” or as
some translations say, a “man of peace.” In this case, a woman of peace.
Volunteers from Brookwood Church
divided the space with walls, donated the office furniture, and installed much
needed air conditioning. Not because Josh twisted their arms, but because God
put it on their hearts to follow the vision for that church.
What about you? What are you trying to
get started? A new business, ministry, initiative or neighborhood watch? Don’t
focus on who doesn’t get on board. Look for an ally – a man or woman of peace.
Whether you’re launching a small group
or trying to get co-workers or neighbors to join you in something, ask God for
the right partner to get started.
Don’t rely on how you expect things
will happen. That will only lead to frustration. Don’t count on who you think
should help. That will only lead to disappointment.
Ask God. Let people know what you’re
doing. If they say, “yes” then you’re making headway. If they say “no,” be
gracious to them. God’s got somebody else in mind.
Who should be “moving” in your life,
but isn’t? Who have you not thought to ask? Start by asking God.
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