The Chief

All followers of Jesus are invited into an Eternal Adventure that begins here on Earth and will extend into the world that follows next. This is the invitation, our calling: We are to engage ourselves in the process of making other disciples.

This is a naturally risky process as we humans are basically self-centered, creature comfort-oriented individuals who are always asking “What’s in it for me?”. But when we allow Christ to be the Lord of our lives and give freedom to the Holy Spirit to guide our lives, then the Father’s purpose for our lives is fulfilled. This ultimate purpose of our lives is defined over and over again in the Bible as being involved this process of discipleship.

God does want us to make plans. He gives us wisdom, and He allows us access to His mind through our prayers. He speaks directly to us through His Word and audible voice.

But I have often found that my plans fall very short of God’s vision for the moment. His plans for my life have always been bigger that my own. It has taken me years, but I have discovered when my plans fall to the ground, usually God has something much better in mind.

The disciples at Antioch were about to learn this very valuable principle of ministry.

 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.”  Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. ³⁸ But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. ³⁹ Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.  Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.  Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. Acts 15:36-41

A few years ago, my family was living in Jerusalem, working with our friend Dr Randy Smith on an online Bible school project. We rented an apartment downtown right next to Independence Park on Ravi Akiva Street. A few blocks away was a McDonalds restaurant, providing us with a touch of America in an often-strange land.

The first time we took our family there, I noticed the absence of a cheeseburger on the menu. I was really disappointed! No Big Mac either! So I ordered a quarter pounder, along with other sandwiches for our family.

 Later my son Lukas went to a register on the far end of the counter where he ordered a McFlurry- a thick milkshake.  When he got it, he was taken by an armed guard through a glass door to a separate seating area.  He was just seven at the time, and really didn’t want to go there, but the security guard insisted that he stay in that area as long as he had his milkshake. We observed all this at a distance.  Finally, I went over to retrieve him, and the guard said that he must drink that milkshake in that separate room. Eventually Lukas finished the drink and we left McDonalds.

A few days later I asked Dr. Smith why Lukas had to sit in the separate room to drink his milkshake. He told me it was all about kosher dietary laws. McDonalds wanted to maintain their Kosher certification so they had to have a separate dining room for consuming daily products. Religious Jews don’t mix meat and dairy. It was because of the way the rabbis interpreted Exodus 23:19 (and again in Exodus 34:26 and Deuteronomy 14:21)

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

The rabbis understood that prohibition against boiling a calf in its mother’s milk as God’s commandment to not mix meat and dairy products. Religious Jews never serve meat and dairy products at the same meal. We discovered this at our meals in various hotels. Religious Jews even have two refrigerators and two sets of dishes: one for meats, and the other for dairy.

I’ve often heard it said : “God’s got it covered. He’s in charge. I don’t worry about anything.”

Others say “I’m worried about the future. I want to make sure I make the right decisions.”

Which one is correct?  One or the other? Could both be?

For those who don’t believe in God, and there is no rational reason for life, then our choices are either very important, or they don’t matter at all.

For some who believe in God and His plan for humanity, they trust in His sovereignty and decide they can sit back and watch Him do what He will do.

What is the reality? Is God in charge? Does He have a plan for these next days, months, and years that is unfolding before our eyes?

What is our place in God’s plan? Is there one?