Nick's playing soccer for the first time this year and he made his first goal during Thursday night's game. He and his teammates moved the ball down the field to a good position before setting him up to place a successful kick. He could have been satisfied with his accomplishment and bowed out of the game or claimed he had already done his part for the team, but making the goal triggered an adrenaline rush. Once he tasted the victory of seeing the ball meet the net, he wanted more. Many believers want nothing more than to wear a team jersey and sit on the bench watching others make goals. They enjoy hearing and seeing how God reveals Himself to and through others in their church family, but they're too fearful or too lazy to pursue that much action for themselves. Like the wandering Israelites, God's Presence makes them nervous and like well-trained dogs under the table, they take the crumbs falling their way instead of assuming their rightful places at the table where they would receive a full view of the Father and the meat of His Word.
"Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing," according to Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest). God reveals Himself to us every time He does anything for us but do we gaze at His Face in thanksgiving and praise or immediately move to the next item on our wish-list? "When once you have seen Jesus, you can never be the same, other things do not appeal as they used to do." (Chambers) Our church families, small group Bible studies, prayer, ministry - both giving and receiving, and worship services put us in good field position to see Jesus, but we must follow through and kick the ball. Jesus, our Goal, stands ready to reveal Himself to us if we're willing to experience His Voice, His miracles, His Presence, His Gifts, His Grace, His Love, His Sacrifice, His Spirit flowing through us. From this viewpoint, we know a spiritual adrenaline rush strong enough to keep us off the bench and in the field, thirsty for more.
"After that He appeared in another form unto two of them."
Mark 16:12
"and saying, "it is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread. While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at My Hands and My Feet. It is I myself! Touch Me and see;'"
Luke 24:34-35
"Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'
She turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher). . . Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: 'I have seen the Lord!'
and she told them that He had said these things to her."
John 20:16
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. Take our eyes off our needs and worries and help us get a glimpse of the One Who'll both satisfy our longing and make us want more of Him. Turn over the bench and move us onto the field. The Goal is big enough for all of us to enjoy. Flow, Spirit, flow.
In the Name of Jesus, the means and the Goal of our salvation!
Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest and my son, Nick
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