By Jon Walker
“But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God.” (Romans 13:11 MSG)
The movie “Hoosiers” tells the story of a small-town basketball team miraculously making it all the way to the state championship. At one point in a critical game, the coach called a player off the bench and told him to get into the game. The boy was a devout Christian, so before running onto the court, he knelt down and prayed.
And he continued to pray, delaying the game. Finally the coach leaned down and said, “Son, my guess is God wants you out on the court now.”
Some of us are like that – we’re still praying for God to strengthen us for the game, when God wants us to get into the thick of the game, carrying his promise that he will be our strength.
The truth is, just like in a basketball game, time is running out for us to fulfill our life missions!
Even if Jesus doesn’t return for another 100 years, each of us is personally limited to the days we have on earth; we can only share our faith with others while we’re here! For that matter, we can only share our faith with others while they are still in this world.
Back in the 19th century, a missionary to China named Hudson Taylor was talking to a Buddhist leader who had become a follower of Christ. The man asked Taylor how long the Gospel had been known in England.
“For hundreds of years,” Taylor said.
The new convert began to cry. He said, “For hundreds of years! My father sought the truth for more than 20 years, and he died without finding it. Why didn’t you come sooner?”
That question burned in Hudson Taylor’s soul as he began a mission to tell millions of Chinese about Jesus Christ.
What does this mean?
- Get into the game – There still are more than 3,000 people groups in the world with no known church, no local witness, and no eternal hope. Even now, in the 21st century, they still have yet to hear about Jesus Christ.
- Understand this pivotal moment – My friend, Rick Warren, explains it this way: “We are in a pivotal moment in history. We have to stop making excuses for why we cannot go. It’s not too far; it’s not too costly; it’s not too dangerous; it’s not too inconvenient. Not anymore. It’s time to stand up and say we will be the last generation to have to answer the question, ‘Why didn’t you come sooner?’”
- ‘I will go’ – God wants you moving toward your mission now. You may need to pray about your concerns, fears, or indifference. You may need to simply pray, “God, I don’t know when, where, or how, but I will go.”
- Why didn’t you come sooner? You mission may not be halfway around the world; it may be right next door.
Jon Walker is the teaching pastor for “The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals,” and resident writer at www.GraceCreates.com. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.