Critique's on Communication...

It has been a while since I blogged last. My lack of blogging is partially a result of the vast twitterverse. So... aside from all that, I have some thoughts on communication have been on my heart today.

People like to know what's going on. They want to be in "the know". That doesn't always mean that they will, or that they should.

My first example of this type of instance occurs in 1 Kings 19 when Elisha receives his calling from the Lord. Elisha had all sorts of worldly pleasures as a well-to-do farmer, but when Elijah laid his cloak on his back (symbolizing that he would be the prophet's succesor)... he knew it was time to go. His first instinct wasn't to ask What? Where? When? Why? or How? He just said his goodbyes to his family and friends and obediently entered into God's call on his life.

Then we see in the gospels where Jesus asks Peter to drop his nets and follow him. He had never met Jesus before. He wasn't out fishing to relax and enjoy the day. He was fishing to make a living, and Jesus was asking him to leave all of that. There was no notice, or warning... just a divine calling on his life. He began following Jesus immediately. All of the 12 disciples could share similar experiences when Jesus came calling.

That brings me to my next point, which is the 12, 11, 3 principle. This is the principle by which Jesus did his ministry. He called 12 disciples, graduated 11 (sorry Judas), and focused on 3 (Peter, James, and John). With the exception of Judas... the other disciples could have just given up on Jesus, gotten frustrated, and quit following him when they realized that he was spending more time with Peter, James and John. But they didn't! They trusted that Jesus knew what he was doing, and followed him regardless.

You and I can't always expect to be an "insider" in every area of our lives. And sometimes God is going to spontaneously call us to do things that make us feel inconvenienced, frustrated, and ill equipped. But... I encourage you not to give in to these spiritual chains, and to follow God no matter what he calls you to do, or when he calls you to do it. This is something that I am still learning daily.