THE MISSION OF GOD
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”
– Matthew 28:18–20
I recently learned how to play spades. I know you just judged me, but spades isn’t for the weak. When I sat down at the “beginner’s table,” they chose a partner that was better than me so I could learn. My first hand was good and I promptly talked my stuff, but my second hand…humbled me. That second round forced me to see the value of a good partner. It made me recognize that there are some things I can’t handle on my own. I didn’t know what he had, but I had to trust that he would hold me down when I literally had nothing to bring to the table. Verse 20 comes at the end of Jesus’ appeal to go out and make disciples. It is a reminder that whatever God is asking us to do isn’t a solo venture. Jesus reminds the disciples that even if they have a bad hand, they have a great partner. We keep counting ourselves out because we are looking at our hand but forget our partner always holds the Big Joker. You will not always know what’s in God’s cards, but you know God’s playing record. This SEEK I want you to stop under-bidding. I want you to live as if you believed that God never planned to leave you or forsake you in the classroom, the interview, or the doctor’s appointment. In verse 20b, God said as long as there is time, I have time.
PRAYER
God, remind me that I’m not alone. Teach me to trust in your hand and to seek to learn how to play mine. Amen.
JOURNAL REFLECTION
Where have you been focusing on your own “hand” instead of trusting God as your partner, and how might He be inviting you to stop underbidding and step forward in faith?