Alexia Speeks
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Acts 11:19-26
Called to Build and Plant
Our scripture verses in Psalms call for a renewal of God’s mercies among His chosen people while the verses in Jeremiah and Acts call the faithful to spread God’s word into the world. Who knew this would still be a challenge for Christians in 2020?
As Christians, we celebrate Advent because we know Jesus is coming. Our sins are forgiven, and for that precious gift, we are called to be revolutionary. We are called to use our soapboxes and social media, not to be divisive, but to focus hearts and minds on overcoming the spiritual mountains in our hearts.
How scary and simultaneously comforting it is to know Jeremiah questioned his own abilities even in the face of God’s plan for him. In Jeremiah 1:10 God says, “See, today I appoint you over nations, and kingdoms to uproot, tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” God sent Jeremiah with a specific message, but Christians are called to be no less committed today.
In Acts, Christians are called to speak and behave so differently that we are recognized as followers of Christ by others. We are called to stand out rather than blend in. I am reminded of the song “Revolutionary” by Josh Wilson. The chorus goes:
Why does kindness seem revolutionary?
When did we let hate get so ordinary?
Let’s turn it around, flip the script
Judge slow, love quick
God help us get revolutionary
Wilson’s lyrics remind us there is still work to do when so many hearts among us need to know the Good News of salvation. Planting new life and hope into broken hearts is exactly what God meant for Christians to do.
God is calling on all of us to once again stand out among the crowd.