One of
my favorite things in the world is Raceway Ministries where people from our
church and others come together to serve race fans at our local speedway. This happens all over the country at all
kinds of motor racing events, and this week I am part of the planning and
celebration of this ministry.
I sat
today listening and sharing with the board of this great organization, and our
new leader began to unpack vision for growth and impacting lives. His name is Elliott Yancey. Elliott working with Raceway Ministries in
Atlanta and moved on to work with fans through the ministry of Motor
Racing Outreach. He has now taken
the lead of our organization. He shared
today the following Scripture that is loaded with meaning:
Jesus called
the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power
to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: “Don’t
think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it
simple. “And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you
leave. “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a
scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.” Then they were on the road. They preached
with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they
sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their
bodies, healing their spirits.
That
is a powerful passage packed full of meaning, yet there is just one piece I
want to call to your attention. For many
churches and Christians there is a thought that we have to have big events,
lots of resources and more to be able to share Jesus with people. But in these few verses Jesus says is all you
need is a calling from God and yourself.
Jesus
said, “You are the equipment.” Don’t be
planning or thinking you need more.
Begin where you are and with what you have. Begin with the people around you. God doesn’t call all of us to see everything
and to move to Zimbabwe. He calls us to
the place we are to share His love with what we have.
That
is what the Bible says. There is meaning
in Scripture if we just start reading and applying what we read. Keep on reading. Keep on listening. Keep on making a difference as you are what
you need to share Jesus!
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