What
is the Gospel? When was the last time you were truly moved by the Gospel?
These are great
questions to ask yourself. For me, I am not sure the last time I was truly
moved by the Gospel. My first thought about this question was, "when was
the last time I got emotional over God's sacrificing love?" I can remember
many occasions but I can't pinpoint the very last time I completely lost myself
in God's love. To answer the first question though, the Gospel is the good news
of God. Jesus is the Son of God that was human like me, yet lived a completely
pure life. He let people like me ridicule him and allowed them to kill him in
front of the public. I don't understand how someone so pure do something so
selfless for someone like me. I wish I could say I would allow others to spit
on me, cut my skin so many times that I have no inch uncovered of the blood
that pours out, call me unspeakable names that make no sense to my character
but make me feel worthless, and then make me carry a log of wood heavier than
all the books on my shelf only so that they can nail my hands and feet to it as
I die a slow and unimaginable death. I wish I could say I would let all of that
happen just so that at least one person would believe in God's love for them.
Jesus is the Gospel. He should be my motivation to do great things. I often
desire whatever He has planned for me but it goes no further than the feeling
of 'wanting'. My actions in the past have not reflected the Gospel's impact on
my life. I don't think people who do not know me well would think of me as a
strong woman of God. I'm not concerned about what others think of me, but I am
concerned about the impact that comes from knowing and loving God. Where does impacting my peers fit into my
daily routine? I don't think I can answer that question just yet. My
testimony is important but the question is not about me impacting others. The
original question I first mentioned is about the Gospel. So what of this
"good news" that makes people "change their
ways"…"turn away from sin"…."right their wrongs"…what
is so life changing? Description of the cross story is not enough to move you
to tears? Waiting for the emotion to
kick in will not change your heart. Seeing a loved one suffer through cancer,
getting into a situation of life or death, getting evicted from the only home
you know…all of these situations can spark a desire to seek God but what
happens after you "meet" Jesus? What happens after you introduce Him
into your life? The Gospel doesn't change, yet you become numb to the story or
you push it to the side because you know it oh so well. Then you wait again for
another life changing event to take place before you let the Gospel move you.
The Gospel is for everyday. It's not a jacket, only to be worn when it's cold.
The Gospel is an everyday need and does more than give you the desire to share
God's love with others. This good news reminds me that I am not alone and I am
not unloved. Jesus is the reason and He is also who I should be seeking
everyday.
