Work Gloves!

This past Monday night we were struck with a pretty strong windstorm which ultimately caused our electricity to go out from around 8 o'clock to a little after midnight. Tuesday morning's paper (which came with an apology for being a little late due to the area power outage) indicated we had a top wind gust of 51 miles per hour. Therefore, AS I WENT for a ten mile walk at 5:20 a.m. Tuesday morning, I anticipated seeing plenty of branches and other debris along the streets. AS I WENT I began picking up and tossing the larger branches to the side of the road where they would be out of the way of motor traffic and make walking for other pedestrians easier as well. It was not long before I found myself thinking I should have brought a pair of work gloves as I reached down and tossed more and more branches to the side of streets on which I was walking. Even where I walked on sidewalks I bent down to remove tree branches so they would be out of the way for others walking that way.

Prior to His ascension back to Heaven, when Jesus gave His disciples the "Great Commission", we read. . .

"(18) And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) GO therefore and MAKE disciples of all nations, BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) TEACHING them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.' " ( Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

The tense of the Greek translated "go" carries the idea of "HAVING GONE" or "AS YOU GO." It is not so much the idea of going somewhere to do the making of disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to continue in that same work as it is more the urging of doing it WHILE GOING. It is important for us to understand that AS WE GO through our daily life, we are to have on our "spiritual work gloves"; being mindful of the service, encouragement, and teaching we can engage in as the opportunities arise along the way.

Over the last several years, AS I HAVE GONE walking about our community, I have had opportunity to help another carry or lift something, push a car, offer an umbrella, give a word of encouragement, provide some counsel, even answer Bible questions, etc. It has helped to make me more aware of wearing "spiritual work gloves" to serve varying needs AS I GO about my other daily activities. The doing is not just when I arrive somewhere, but AS I GO to wherever I am on the way. As we journey on toward the Heavenly goal, may we continually be mindful of the opportunities ( Galatians 6:10) God places before us to do good, serve, and teach to His glory and praise.

Have a great day SERVING ALL ALONG LIFE'S WAY!
Carl

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