The Excitement That Has Never Left Me
Humility, kindness, and honesty cause people to be curious about what you believe. After Paul, the sent one, was falsely accused by the religious people in the city of Jerusalem and imprisoned for two years, He was finally sent to the city of ancient Rome as a prisoner of the government. Through it all Paul sat in the back seat and trusted Jesus to lead his life.
One of the first things Paul did in his confinement in the city of Rome was to call together the leaders of the Jews who lived in Rome so that he could humbly, honestly, and kindly explain his situation to them. He didn’t accuse them or insult them. They responded to Paul’s warm approach by saying: “We want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
Rather than feeling threatened by Paul and his “sect” (party), they set up a time to come back and bring more people with them so they could all hear what he had to say. Then Paul “witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.”
Instead of accusing and verbally attacking people who support a party you believe is hurting you, be like Paul. Reach out to them with honesty, kindness, and humility. Then they might even say to you: “We want to hear what your views are,” and listen to you “explaining about the kingdom of God,” “from morning till evening.” That’s what happened to Paul, the sent one (apostle).
If you are a Christ-follower, you have been sent to where you are so that you (as an ambassador of the kingdom of God) can be a first-hand witness to and a living demonstration of Jesus’ literal presence, sacrificial love, and grace-filled humility. The kingdom of God begins to manifest when a person learns to freely surrender to, rely on, and humbly flow with Spirit-produced inner rivers of childlike innocence, trust, creativity, openness, spontaneity, and playfulness that release the fruit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Refuse to let an obsession with your rights quench the light of Christ that wants to freely shine in and through your heart.
The energy, influence, and insight of God’s Spirit produces indescribable joy! “O taste and see that the Lord is good!” The Bible isn’t a textbook to be learned but a handbook to be experienced and lived. As I strive to LUIGS (Live Under the Influence of God’s Spirit) I’m amazed at how Jesus works in me to keep my heart and mind ever focused on Him, so that I don’t feel threatened by the confusion and hostility that surrounds me in this world.
The last thing that I’ve been excited about is sitting in the back seat and letting the living Jesus steer my life. That’s the excitement that has never leaves me. I’ve been constantly and currently excited about the risen Jesus all my adult life.
