Just You - October 11
Today’s Readings AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; PM Psalm 4, 7; Jer. 36:11-26; 1 Cor. 13:(1-3)4-13; Matt. 10:5-15
While we have done a better job the past year or so, the Burruss family has a reoccurring theme that plays out whenever we travel. This is especially true if we are headed to the beach. We pack several sets of clothes for pretty much every occasion possible and a plethora of activities. This includes clothing for multiple workouts, swimming, dining out, several pairs of shoes for each person, biking accouterments, activities for rainy days, and of course fishing paraphernalia. Usually, the car is not packed until the day we are leaving, and then there is a ceremonial repacking so there is some sliver of a view over the backseat for the driver. This is only available on the trip down and not on the way home. Finally, we will the back seat with a cooler and bag of snacks and all sorts of travel games and electronics to keep the children from asking a million questions in a few hours’ drive.
And then we arrive, and we spend what feels like half a day putting away the different pieces to the puzzle, which never really works. The living space is filled with our belongings, stuff overflowing into hallways and bound to stub someone’s toe at some point in the near future.
And then the trip comes to a conclusion, and we begin to pack everything up again. One of us will ask the question, ‘did we really need all of this?’ and we vow to do better next time. Once we went to a church parish retreat when Jack was one year old and the entire Toyota Highlander that we owned at the time was crammed full. It’s not just as our children have gotten older!
As the disciples are beginning to carry out their mission, Jesus gives them some specific instructions. In Chapter 10, Jesus is encouraging them to proclaim the Good News and engage in the work of healing. In this passage of Matthew, he reminds them to “Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food” vv. 9-10. When I first read the passage, there is so much more that I think the disciples might need. What if their work of healing doesn’t go as planned? What if they can’t get to the people that need to hear their message? What if the journey is longer than planned? What if they might want to go fishing, swimming, skimboarding, sandcastle building, cycling, and play tennis too?
I joke about how families get ready for vacation, but I wonder if there is a principle of over-preparedness that crosses over to different sections of our life. Might it be possible that worrying about what difference we can make in other lives, or if we even have something to offer inhibits us from taking the necessary steps to live out God’s mission? We might wonder what we have to actually offer in going to serve a meal in Avondale. We might think we have nothing in common or to share with those whom we will meet. Or we worry that we don’t have the skills to help with a project at GraceWorks. Or we can’t go to church because we don’t have our life figured out this week (this happens much more often than you might imagine!)
This is foolishness. God just wants you! And not all those things you have acquired or learned. Surprisingly, it is just ourselves, full of contradictions, insecurities, and doubts, that are needed for the kingdom of God. We don’t need anything else.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: What keeps you from acting out the mission that God invites you into? What are the most important skills to being a disciple? What is actually needed?
Daily Challenge: Consider one thing you have said no to recently because you felt you weren’t ready. Plan to accomplish that goal. See if it is something you can do this week.