Do you feel prepared to face the world? Maybe you're applying for a new job, looking at schools, looking for a new house? Maybe you're like me and are just coming out of university, with the world open and Freedom to do anything. God gives us opportunity and freedom, no matter where we grow up, what we do, the choices we've made. There is always the one-ended chance to change, to seek love and life, and we see this through Jesus on the cross. Think of that moment where Jesus comes before his disciples, filling them with the Holy Spirit, and preparing them to face the world. It's a moment of renewal, and freedom. They go out to preach the Gospel everywhere, sharing the good News of God to the world. We too are given these moments of renewal and freedom, the chance to choose what to do with our lives and how to act. Do we take every opportunity to help others and follow God's will for us as disciples?
Today's Gospel states:'And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen' (Mark 16:15-20).
Today's Gospel talks about Jesus' ascension, where he tells the disciples to share his good news, and returns to be with God. This is the fresh start for them, they're filled with the Holy Spirit, and prepared to do whatever and go wherever God leads them. Sometimes, when we are faced with the freedom to choose, it can seem scary and uncertain. Without a doubt the disciples were fearful at first. however, if we trust that God has a plan for our lives, no matter the outcomes ahead, then we will in good conscience make beneficial choices with our freedom, for ourselves and for others. Take some time to ask God to help you trust His will when making decisions.
Today's prayer comes from 'The gospel Coalition' a prayer for wisdom and peace in decision making:
Dear heavenly Father, you number our hairs and determine our days; you hang the stars and feed the sparrows; you open doors no one can shut and shut doors no one can open. Surely, we can trust you when the time comes for making big decisions, or for that matter, any decisions. I’m in just such a season again, Father, and I know I’m not alone. We will trust you for generous wisdom, straight paths and peaceful hearts, all for your glory.
How we praise you for being the decision-making-God. It’s not our decisions, but yours that make all the difference. We will plan, but we trust you to order our steps. We will pray, but ask you to fix our prayers en route to heaven. We will seek counsel, but count on you to overrule faulty or incomplete input from our most trusted friends and mentors. We will search the Scriptures, but not looking for proof texts but for you, Father. All we want and need is you.
Free us from the paralysis of analysis—wanting make the right decision, more than we want to be righteous people; wanting to be known as wise people, more than we want to know you. Free us from the idolatry of assuming there’s only one “perfect” choice in any given situation. Free us from making decisions primary for our comfort and other’s approval, or fear their disapproval. Free us to know that good choices don’t always lead to the easiest outcomes, especially at first. Free us from second and twenty-second guessing our decisions.
Father, no matter if it’s wisdom about buying or selling, vocation or vacation, this place or that place, this person or that person, we know that in ALL things, your will is our sanctification—our becoming more and more like Jesus. Give us this passion; make it our delight.
So, Father, make us more and more like Jesus, even as we trust you for the opening and closing of doors that are in front of us. All for your glory—in our eating and drinking; and in our whatever’s, whenever’s and wherever’s. So very Amen we pray, in the name of our reigning King, Jesus.
