make it matter

Daniel 3:14-95; John 18:31-42

Today we roll into Babylon as we encounter King Nebuchadnezzar and three: Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego who get thrown in the fiery furnace because of their faithfulness and refusal to give in, give up.

It is certainly a good read for us all.  The crucible is always before us.  We too must be willing to stand in the fire of faithfulness and not give in or give up, throwing our hands in the air as if it didn't matter.  It does matter.  If it doesn't matter to any one esle we must remember it must first matter to us and that is what counts most of all.

The fire comes for us who are faithfull, it will not burn but only burn brighter if we are willing to stand firm.  And Oh what a witness it will bring.

Go ahead and dive right in, be not afraid.  Make it matter and the world around will will learn what matters most of all.

Secondly Jesus inthe gospel has these words: If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciple and you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

It is important to note the difference between being an apostle and being a disciple.

 An aposlte is the one who is sent with a message to be delivered.  They are asked to go forth and share that message with others. 

A disciple is a learner, the one who remains close and is open to the message of the one who is the teacher. A disciple is first and foremost a student.

so many of us want to jump ahead be the apostles and join the ranks of the twelve.  So many want their voice to be heard, their message to be delivered.

 But we forget Jesus asks us primarily to be a learner, a student, to stay close.  We must begin there and stay there.  We can never get ahead of ourselves.

too often we want to give the message before we learn the message.  But we must not forget that in learning the message our life will begin to give it effortlessly, freely.

It is our willingness to learn the message then we begin to bear the message worthy of being heard not before but only in the process of learning, which is daily.

The truth will set you free from the insistence of being heard and guide you to just live.

The way we live is the sermon best preached.  If we are willing to learn daily then that sermon of our life will only get better and better.