SHOWING UP
Saturday 17 May 2008 at 06:23 amAs I prepare to share the vision of Mission Raleigh across Oregon I am reminded of the most basic principle of the ministry. Showing up. That seems to be the key. Showing up when you said you would be there. Showing up when it is rainy or cold. Showing up when you really don't want to be there. Showing up proves that you care. The days we show up without an agenda are particularly effective. I mean if you show up for the program then your motives are not as pure. If you show up just to visit, or play kick ball or go out for donuts and prayer before school or to take a youth to the driving range or a movie then your motives are transparent. You are not there for your plans but you are there for them.
Over the past few weeks I have seen the results of missionaries who just showed up. It has impacted lives well beyond a scheduled bible study.
I recall a story of when Jesus just showed up. In Luke 19 Jesus just showed up at Zacchaeus ' house and Zacchaeus life was eternally changed
Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home." Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, "What busis does he have getting cozy with this crook?" Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, "Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I'm caught cheating, I pay four times the damages." Jesus said, "Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.” ~ Luke 19: 1-- 10 (the message)
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