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“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation’) (Mark 16:15).

Christ on the Cross (Odilon Redon)

God is so sure of Himself.

Does that not sound like a crazy thing to say?  But if you really stop and think about it God deals in black and white.  There is sin and there is not sin.  There is good and there is bad.  Now, circumstances may determine whether something can be acceptable or not.  For example, if a little toddler picked up a loaded gun and shot someone with it thinking it as a toy, killing them, that scenario would be a very different scenario from one where I picked up a loaded gun and shot someone with it because I was angered by something that they had said or done.  And yet, killing is a sin.  But God is the Just Judge, which means that God is perfectly able to make decisions about whether something is right or wrong.  God knows what is in each of our hearts and can decide what to do about it.

And I have been thinking about this today because Christ is TRUTH and that means that everything is black and white.  He never came to earth and said, listen, let’s just all try our best and see what happens.  He said, GIVE ME EVERYTHING.  He said, leave everything.  He said, gather everyone.  He is so sure of Himself…

“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation’...  And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it.’” (Mark 16:15-20).Right away!  Christ did not say, delay and do something first and then follow me.  He did not say that we could think about it for a while and then change our mind.  He did not say that one way was okay and another way was not.  Rather, He said, this is how to get to Heaven.  I love you and want you to join me.  So please, just do this…

And what is this?  It is to leave everything and follow Christ.  And what does that mean for a busy working wife and mother like me?  Does it mean that I should desert my family and join a convent?  Does it mean that I cannot work and earn money to support my family?  No.  Rather it means that God is asking me to place Him at the centre of my life.  He is asking me to stop everything and focus on Him.  He is asking me to watch His example and bring others to Him.  He is asking me to listen to the cues.  When work is getting in the way of my Christian Charity, He is asking me to stop the work a little bit or place it to one side.  He is asking me to reflect on Him as I work and work for His glory not mine…

And this strikes me to my core today, because I realise now that when Christ asked me to leave and go out and preach, I never even left!

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.