Russellings of the Spirit

The season we are in right now… here in the early part of May… is one of my favorite times of the year. New life is appearing on trees and in the fields, birds are chirping, and the scorching heat of summer has not yet arrived.

Maybe we could use a little less rain than we’ve had lately, but that goes along with the whole April showers/May flowers thing, I guess.

I also like this time of year because baseball season is well underway. Someone just please let the Royals know the season has started, would you?

But if we shift our focus a bit and think in terms of the story of Jesus and the disciples we see that this is an odd, in-between kind of season.

In one sense it is a happy and joyous time for them. The risen Jesus has appeared to the disciples (except for Thomas who was out picking up the Jimmy John’s order apparently). They all met with Him on top of the mountain in Galilee and received the Great Commission to, “… 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20, NRSV).

Jesus then concluded the meeting by assuring them he would be with them, “… to the end of the age.” 

How cool is THAT!

And yet, in another sense, this is a time of great fearfulness and apprehension for the disciples. Despite the thrill of seeing their Master and friend alive and hearing his final “marching orders” to them, they are still hunkering down in Jerusalem.

We check in and find them still scared to death of the Roman soldiers and Jewish priests who are trying to solve the great Mystery of the Empty Tomb.

At this point on the Christian calendar, the Day of Pentecost has not yet come where Jesus’ followers were filled with the evangelistic fire that ultimately sent them out boldly proclaiming the Good News of the Risen Christ throughout the world.

And so here is the question I have to ask myself today: are there any ways that I find myself resembling those timid disciples? Can I relate to feeling JOY about the good news of Jesus’ resurrection and yet still feel some apprehension about stepping out and doing the whole “making disciples” thing?

I’m afraid the answer is yes… I can relate all too well.

I listen and hear Jesus calling me to continue his work. I nod my head enthusiastically when he speaks. I feel a surge of eagerness about doing my part to help draw people to his life changing, life-giving message. I know the difference my relationship with Jesus has made in my own life and want others to experience the same kind of new life and transformation.

I’m all ready to charge out the door in my Master’s service… and then I hesitate. I get a little self-conscious. I ask myself, “So how do I do that exactly?” “What if people don’t respond well when I talk to them?” “What if I say the wrong thing and actually turn people AWAY FROM Jesus instead of TOWARD him?”

And then I read an article like the one I saw in today’s Kansas City Star that says that the current generation of young adults has more skepticism and suspicion about the church and organized religion than any generation EVER in history!

And so I slowly allow my fears to replace my enthusiasm. Just like those disciples did so long ago.

Today, I will say a prayer for all of us… for all who choose to go by the name “disciple of Jesus Christ.” I will pray that we will again feel the hot breath of the Holy Spirit breathing on us, filling us with power and purpose!

Right now I am going to pray that we turn the tables on our fears and go with boldness to carry the message of His saving purposes for the world… not with the arrogance and sense of superiority that can characterize his followers, but with the joy and humility of one who knows the joy of being lost and then FOUND again!

Maybe you will pray that prayer with me at some point today. And then maybe – if there are enough of us praying it together – we will see a really spectacular kind of May flowers blooming in the world.

Abundant blessings to you this day…