Foolish Dreamers

After feeding the multitudes, the people gathered around Jesus and asked, "Well, what do we do then to get in on God's works?" And Jesus responded to them by saying, "Throw your lot in with the One that God has sent. That kind of commitment gets you in on God's works."
(John 6:28-29, The Message).

This passage is prefaced by the feeding of the multitude. There, the gospel writer wants to make sure that the readers know "all the people ate as much as they wanted" (John 6:11), and the "people had eaten their fill" (John 6:12).

Whenever we give of ourselves fully to God, no matter how insignificant our gifts and talents are, God is able to use them so that all are full. That’s the way God works. What God is able to do doesn’t depend on the size of our gifts or our abilities, but our willingness to be used fully by God.

And that's just it. Mostly giving to God won't cut it. When we mostly give ourselves to God, we're still going to miss out, and the people will still be left wanting. Everyone misses out. God is not interested in us being mostly committed to His kingdom.

This is so evidently clear when we consider it in the context of a marriage. Just try and see if you can get away with being mostly committed to your spouse. See what kind of marriage you end up with.

The Bible is not shy about what God calls this kind of worthless religion - prostitution and whoring ourselves to false lovers.

And yet, when it comes to God's Kingdom vision for the world, why do we think that being mostly committed will accomplish the goal? How can we think that God could be happy with us mostly loving God?

The key to getting in on God's work, Jesus says, is to "throw our whole lot in to God's Kingdom work. It's that kind of commitment that gets you in on God's work."

That kind of commitment - it's that kind of commitment that gets you in on God's work.

Is this a crazy foolish dream? That there would be people living in today's world who would be foolish and crazy enough to give themselves fully to the cause of Christ?

Is it crazy and foolish to think that there are people who would willingly and joyfully give their entire lives, their careers, and their dreams so God can change the world through them?

Then, call me a crazy fool.

I don't need religion. I don't need status quo.

I want to see the fullness of God's glory. I want to see the darkness get pushed back. I want to see lives get changed. I want to see communities get turned upside down and right side up for the Kingdom of God. I want to see the fullness of the Kingdom glory here on earth as it is in heaven. I want to see God!

And I know I am not alone. I pastor a church where people have thrown their whole lot with the Son of God. It's only a matter of time.

"Since the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of God has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it" (Matthew 11:12 NIV).

Thank God for foolish dreamers!