What Would You Do?

What would you do if you knew beforehand the outcome of something God was telling you to do? Would you do it or not, as my grandson likes to say? Maybe it is something good and very easy to do with the probability that it will turn out good in the end. But what if were difficult and the outcome was in question?

Sometimes I get my brainteasers from the oddest of places. Maybe a billboard sign, a song, a radio or TV show or just from God’s small voice. But I get them, and I don’t always act on them or give them much more than a fleeting thought.

Mr. Smith, a character in the TV show Jeremiah, supposedly hears from God and goes to wherever he is supposed to “to prophesy”. Now most of the characters don’t believe him, but some things he does tend to make you believe that he is a little more than mortal. In this episode, he tells a young woman she doesn’t need to make the trip they are taking knowing that her demise is at hand, but she goes anyway. Later he sees her and like most of us he is begging God to let him alone he doesn’t want to know. He is caught screaming that he doesn’t want to be the messenger anymore. Nearing the end of this plot he overhears this woman talking to the enemy and realizes that she was a spy. After her co-conspirator leaves the room, he confronts her and ends up having to shoot her to defend his own life. After she dies he says to God, “Now I know why you wouldn’t tell me the whole story” (the ending).

How many of us are like Mr. Smith? Could we do what God was asking us to do if we knew the end wasn't to our liking? No, I am not suggesting the God would use us to kill someone, but aren't we like Mr. Smith, wanting to be used only in good outcomes. Would missionaries go to some unreached people group if they knew they would not see the fruits of their labor? Would we reach out a helping hand to our neighbor or someone we don't know if we knew that person was going to take advantage of our kindness?

Our faith is one that acts with the belief that God is the one in control of the outcome. We are supposed to step out in faith that God knows better than us how to bring about the outcome he desires. Can our feelings get hurt? Sure they can. Could we be taken advantage of? You bet

Today's post is full of questions and I still have many more as I work through this teasing of the spiritual lobe of my brain.

The big question for today, Will I be a willing or unwilling messenger for God's purpose? Either way His desire and purpose will be accomplished.