Recently, I picked up a copy of The Hypochondriac’s Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have. It is equal parts informative and hilarious. From the back cover:
Do you suffer from insomnia?
Not good…soon your whole body might attack your brain.
Are you bothered by a persistent fever and swelling?
Beware…maggots are likely crawling beneath your skin.
Have you noticed skin tenderness and discoloration?
Yikes…a small horn is probably going to sprout from your head.
Funny—for sure. But there’s nothing humorous about the sickness afflicting many Christ followers today. Let me explain.
We've just experienced the Easter season. As believers, we did our best to focus on Christ's sufferings when we…
- Winced at His beatings
- Flinched at His whipping
- Cringed at His crown of thorns
- Grieved at the nails bashed through His hands and feet
But when this same Jesus asks us to make disciples by telling others about Him and all He did on the cross, we often respond with:
- “That’s not really my spiritual gift.”
- “It just makes me uncomfortable.”
- “Others should do this—but not me.”
Talk about sick!
Whether by words or inaction, we tell Jesus, “No thanks,” we are stomping on His highest hope for us—and His world. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” is the Great Commission, not the Great Suggestion.
What if we dropped the excuses and chose one friend or neighbor—just one—that we committed to praying for (asking for their salvation) every day for a month? And what if we asked God to show us simple ways to connect with them and show them some love?
You don’t have to preach a sermon or blast your Bible at ‘em. Just share a snippet of what God has done for you, or something from His Word.
It’s spring! So, plant a seed and pray a prayer. Then watch the adventure unfold!
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
-Jesus, John 14:15
