Part 2 of 2

Eventually the evening grew late and we would have to leave the abode. We gathered in the main room for few last kind words and closing prayer. I quickly chugged down my warm coffee, said my good-byes to my new family members in Christ, and made way to the car, watching as little Chasity spectated our leaving from a window nearby.

I cannot help but to relate that night and what I learned to a comparison between the Kingdom of God and the Israelites journey to the Promised Land.  As Christians, strangers to this place, we are seeking for more love, mercy, and obedience to Christ-things not common in this world. We are in pursuit of a land filled with these virtues to the brim and overflowing, pressed down and shaken together, running over⁴. It is kingdom consisting of sharing cookies and making friends, but also of the power of a life-revolutionizing love⁵. I believe the Kingdom of Heaven to be made up of these things. Unlike the Israelites, our promised land deliverance doesn’t consist of breaking free from a physical Pharaoh, traveling across a desert, spending forty years in the wilderness, or battling Canaanite inhabitants to obtain a land of milk and honey.

Rather of Christ breaking us free from a sin that enslaved and ruled us like a pharaoh, times of growth that makes traveling through desert sound like a nice vacation to a foreign land, and forty years in the woods like a movie we’d watch on a Monday night at home with the family. Though there comes times when we have a chance to take charge and step out on Christ’s commands like Caleb did for God in face of fears or uncertainty.⁶ You may have uncertainty about getting out and caring for someone you don’t know or feel uncomfortable with doing some dirty jobs.

But we obviously aren’t battling giant Canaanite people- just our schedules, doubts and desires in opposition to Christ’s teachings. But what if the Israelites would not have followed Moses out of Egypt? What if they decided to not take the first step into the Promised Land? Taking opportunity to be put your faith into action through works, is a important part of following and serving Christ. James 2:14 discusses how we must have faith and deeds. He asks, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” In relation to the importance of working for Christ, Paul states in his letter to Galatia that “God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”⁷

Sowing into the lives of Austin, Michelle, and their children and reaping the love they reciprocated in just a few hours spent cleaning is now worth more to me than riches. There’s no room for me to boast or to glory in myself, though. All I had to do was show up and be ready to do what I was told while having a little fun while doing it-truly bringing to light God’s honor in his works that are already prepared for us likewise we are prepared for them⁸. I encourage anyone looking to love Jesus⁹ more to come out-be a part of something like what I have been blessed to share, and let Him use you to make a difference. The reward is waiting on the other side of the fence! A land not flowing with honey or milk (although there may be cookies and coffee), but one with love, mercy, and a good times.

After seeing what God is doing there, my hope is that Mercy Mondays with SEED become topic of conversation and can be a firstborn spark that create a wildfire of discipleship, service, and evangelism in the community and the surrounding areas as individuals decide to seek God’s Kingdom. We were made for this¹⁰, so come join us for the next Mercy Monday at seven! At least take time out to pray about and for it. Lord willing, see you there!

If you ever run into Austin, Michelle, and their kids Zach and Chasity at Sojourn, make sure to recognize them as the great people they are. I also want to extend a special thanks in Christ’s name to all the other brothers and sisters that I did and did not get to meet last week that participated!

May God bless you through Christ!
Jeff Armstrong, the author of this blog, has been attending Sojourn and can be reached at jeffarmstronginChrist@gmail.com.

⁴ Luke 6:38
³⁸Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

⁵ 2 Timothy 1:7 ⁷For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
1 Corinthians 4:20 talks about a direct Kingdom of Heaven and it’s power reference.

⁶ Numbers 13:30 ³⁰Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”  Relates to us today when referring to God’s blessings He provides through acts of love-moving us closer to the Kingdom.

^{7 7}Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

⁸ Ephesians 2:10

⁹ Matthew 25:37-40

¹⁰ Ephesians 2:10