I love living in Clarksville. One reason is the lake, better known as Buggs Island Lake. The lake reflects so much to me, depending on the time of day we cross it, the weather, what is on my mind, the boats there, and who knows what else. So as we ventured off to Chase City this morning, I anxiously waited to see the lake. It has been a couple of weeks since I have crossed to the other side.
As we rode over the original bridge, I looked at the by-pass bridge - an architectural accomplishment in my mind! I was watching the pairs of pillars supporting each section of the bridge. It was then that God said “two by two were sent”.
Mark 6:6b-7, 12-13 Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. 7 And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.
12 So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. 13 And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil. (NLT)
Jesus directed his disciples to help with teaching others about the kingdom of God so that more and more people would learn about it. He knew it was time for them to go out so He sent them. AND Jesus gave them power to cast out evil spirits.
If you think about it, this is what has been the infrastructure for all time for supporting and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ - two by two. Disciples have spread the Word through the centuries to the present. How else would people learn of Jesus Christ?
Preachers, ministers, pastors - we are all of these, even those of us who do not have a divinity degree or initials behind our names. I mean no disrespect in saying this. Rather I refer to this scripture:
John 15:15 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
As I looked at that bridge, I not only saw each pair of pillars serving as the underpinning of the bridge to hold it in place, but I also saw you and me - Jesus’s followers/disciples - as the pillars for Christ, providing the way/means for learning of Jesus and the kingdom of God.
The bridge is there for travelers to cross back and forth; to travel from point A to point B. They will encounter many things along their journey. Some of these travelers we know, but many we don’t. These are the people with whom we have an opportunity to share the gospel. However there are many times when the enemy will try to prevent us from interacting with these travelers. We are distracted by obstacles in our way.
As time passes, so will these barriers. God is stronger than any enemy we have! We will see His artistry over the bridges we support as He supports us!
As these travelers cross our paths, they learn of our testimonies and our faith. By representing the pillars of the bridge/gospel, we are holding firm to our testimonies and faith of who Jesus Christ is in our lives. They see the strength of our faith and our confidence in sharing with them. They continue to follow the path they have chosen after crossing the bridge and leaving us. Will our testimonies have some impact on their lives? Will they pursue others to ask questions about this gospel?
We do not have those answers, but God does. All He asks is that we share, through our boldness and our obedience, our faith with those who cross our paths and with those whose paths we cross. Let us continue in obedience as He sends us "two by two".
Happy New Year!
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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