Significant: Plan A

Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”      Acts 1:4-8 (WEB)

And that, as plainly as He ever said it, is God’s Plan A for evangelizing or proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. There is no Plan B. So as I repeat the question: “Am I of significance to God?” He must think so.

God has entrusted His Good News to me … to you. Those people that Jesus spoke to 2000 years ago have done their part. My parents, teachers, all those who have influenced my life and have encouraged or hindered my relationship with Jesus, have done their part. I am a ‘grown-up Christian’ now. In my life that is defined (but not limited to):

• I know that Jesus is my Savior.
• I know His ways and satan’s ways.
• I know how to exercise a choice.
• I know what will provide growth in my relationship with God.
• I know that I am to be His witness, His ambassador.

As a grown-up, I choose to give up childish, selfish ways. I consider others needs before my own. I am given the responsibility to care and nurture other Christians that God places in my life. I am also to evangelize or proclaim His Gospel to those who do not know Him. They could be in the church or outside His Body. Am I on Jesus’ Plan A?

I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you, for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came forth from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours…

Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.       John 17:6-9, 20-23 (WEB)

Jesus did not just give the orders and leave us to fumble around to fulfill it. Jesus gave us His example and He gave us His Spirit to guide us and equip us every step of the way. He gave us each other to work together, focusing on His Good News, not our personal ‘golden calf’.