Watch and Pray

When your workout involves cardio at Planet Fitness, you end up watching a lot of CNN, Fox News, and or MSNBC. During this political season it has been especially difficult and downright disheartening even when all we are doing is reading the captions. My workout partner and I have resorted to watching the equally omnipresent infomercials in self-defense. We are now experts on everything from make-up to male pattern baldness.

As a result of all the political nonsense, Mitchell and I have begun to flinch at the word “evangelical.” By its very definition this word should be good news; but it isn’t. Reading through the gospel of Mark I happened upon this description of the Pharisees in Mark 3, “And they watched Jesus…so that they might accuse him.” So much of evangelical politics these days seems to involve this kind of watchfulness. I have even found this tendency in myself as I deal with teenagers on a daily basis. Well, I have asked the Holy Spirit to go to war against this spirit in me. I want the εὐαγγέλιον, to be the good news it was meant to be, and I want evangelicals to be the bearers of that good news of great joy which shall be to all people.

I think Jesus prescribes a different kind of watchfulness. I love the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10. (Mark is a great read, by the way.) In his arrogance, this young man tells Jesus he has kept all the commandments from his youth. My response would have been, “Seriously?” But this is what the Bible says about Jesus response, “And Jesus looking at him loved him…” That is evangelical watchfulness folks! You aren’t really ready to challenge anyone, correct anyone, or make political pronouncements until that is your posture.

How about the story from Acts 3 where we read, “Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.”

Peter looked straight at this blind beggar and saw his real need. That is evangelical watchfulness! He didn’t ignore him. He didn’t throw money at the problem. He gave what he had and what he had was evangelicalism at its best. “In the name of Jesus, get up and walk.”

So let’s be watchful! Let’s pray that people will be expecting to get something from us as evangelicals. Let that something be grace and the mighty power of an awesome God!

Mitchell and I are starting a write-in campaign by the way. #write-in Jesus! He is the only one who will tell you the truth and nothing but the truth that sets you free. He is only one who always keeps His campaign promises. Promises like, “And the government shall rest upon His shoulders and of the increase of His government there shall be no end. #PRINCE OF PEACE

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk

( To read updates on our mission trip to Uganda go to the home page at the tool bar above.)