They set out

They set out.

Pause for a few minutes right now and imagine that you are among the Twelve as Jesus is giving them power and authority to cast out demons and cure diseases.   Picture him looking you right in the eye and saying,  “Go. Proclaim the kingdom of God.   Heal the sick.   Don’t take any food or drink, clothes or money, along with you.”   A few of you might be raring to go right now.   Many, however, are probably contemplating a single word.   How ?

Look at the Twelve.   They didn’t have provisions.   They probably had no idea how to do what Jesus told them.   But they took the first step.   They shared about their experience of God’s love or reached out to a sick person.   For his part, God supplied them with what they needed in their particular situation.   Words, Wisdom, and Power.

Jesus is sending you out today, just as he sent the apostles.   Are you ill-equipped?   Yes, but knowing that is a good place to start!   The apostles were not well-equipped, but they started out when Jesus said  “Go!”   Like them, you can take that first step and watch as God gives you exactly what you need to complete your task.

This can happen in many ways, but here’s one example.   You hear that one of your friends has lost his job.   You are surprised and feel sad for him, so you decide to pray for him.   That’s your first step.   Then, while you’re at the grocery store, you run into him.   You ask him about the situation and he seems discouraged.   A thought comes into your head.   Pray with him.   So you ask him if he’d like to pray with you.   He says yes, and the two of you say a prayer together that he can find a new job soon.

At the beginning, you might never have imagined praying with your friend in the grocery store.   But you took the first step, and God equipped you for the rest of the job.

Don’t worry about whether or not you have what it takes.   Just step out.   Take that first step.   Jesus will give you what you need.

-word among us