Enough is Enough
If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die.
What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)
Hello Saints,
While out in the streets last Wednesday, telling people about the greatest news ever, and praying for people, we encountered an elderly man, thin, tall, strong looking, with white hair, and a beard, and several tattoos on his arms. I said hello and walked by, and sensed the Lord say “go back”. So, I engaged him in a conversation. After some chit chat, we found out he was 80 years old, and had only 2 days prior, left his old life behind and was starting out in a new city, staying in the hotel in front of which he was standing. He left his whole family and the city in which he was born and raised for a better life. Why? He’d had enough! Enough of the drugs and the party lifestyle his family and friends were living. He wanted a change; and that change demanded radical choices and great courage. Did I mention he was 80 years old! He wasn’t bitter or angry, just tired of the ‘same old same old’; something had to be ‘different’ and he was willing to pay the price to experience the ‘different’. We were quite taken aback by the determination of this man to embark on so drastic a decision at such a late age. He was very soft-hearted and tender, so we turned the conversation to God and Jesus. Turns out that he once accepted Christ into his heart when he was younger, but decisions of life led him away from the Lord. But here he was at a turning point - was this yet another prodigal who was coming back to the Father’s house? We prayed for him and encouraged him in his faith-filled courageous journey for a better life, and were grateful that God had used us to remind him of his need to return to Jesus, who gives true life.
I was encouraged by this encounter which often happens when I engage people in conversation. I see God moving in people to draw them to Himself and often using followers of Jesus to point searching people in the right direction. This guy was a little different than most - his journey seemed a biblical one – leaving all in search of true freedom and life. It reminds me of the disciples and the great men and women of the bible; it reminds me of the call of Jesus to lose our life, abandon even family to find true life (Matt. 10:34-39). The man reminded me of Moses, who started his journey with God at 80 years old. Bold steps and radical choices, with a little coaxing from the Lord and a whole lot of faith that God is leading you and watch out world – the sky is the limit! Abraham, Moses, Esther, Ruth, Peter, Paul, Martin Luther, Jan Hus – people who come to the turning point saying, “Enough is Enough, change has to happen!” Their stories are marked by courage, faith, and a desire to serve God, often in the face of uncertainty and adversity. The Bible, History, the Church is filled with stories of individuals who came to a decision point where something had to be done, something had to change and that change had to start with them/me/us. Leaving comfort behind, confronting powerful leaders, individuals armed with courage, faith, and a vision from God transformed cities, nations, religious institutions, and whole people groups. They go down in history as world changers, initiators of movements, reformers and influencers of generations. One person, one God-given vision, one Holy Spirit initiated push to do something, one “here I am, send me” and change happens. Whether on a large scale or a personal level, it starts with a holy discontent, a stirring in your spirit that things just can’t stay the way they are. It starts with “Enough is Enough”. With God all things are possible. What about you?
Peace
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Cor. 9:8)
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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