Go! Go? Yeah, But…

What if you heard that word —GO! —but not where to go?

 

Author Bunny Wilson shared after 911 about a ship’s captain who was told, “Go.”

 

I recall her saying

 

When those planes hit the World Trade Towers and we sent our forces across the ocean, I will never forget that there was a captain being interviewed. He was about to take his war vessel across the ocean and the reporter said, “Where are you going?”

The captain said, “East.”

The reporter said, “What is your destination?”

The captain said “East.”

The reporter said, “How are you going to know where to go?”

The captain said, “When I head East, eventually I will get orders for where I am supposed to go.”

 

That was a distinct reminder of another situation in Genesis 12:11

 

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.”

 

Imagine yourself in either of those situations. How would you feel? Would you be comfortable, trusting, excited, or anxious and doubtful? Would you pack up, and…go?

 

My sympathy is with Moses and Jeremiah (or call us Yeah-But)

 

Exodus 4 – Moses

But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

 

Jeremiah 1 – Jeremiah
… 6“O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

7The LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” 9Then the LORD reached out and touched my mouth

 

We also are told to ‘go’ – in Luke 24:47 and Mark 16:15 for example:

“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation” Acts 1:8 clarifies it somewhat –“ you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

 

A young couple I know approached a mission and asked what was required. They were told three things: 1) get ready (pray, get rid of burdens like debt, and pack up) 2) practice (activate your faith where you are and areas of need you can reach with whatever is at your disposal – your Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria) then you will be given more direction and responsibility.

 

A few short years later they realized radio, then internet gave them access to much of the known world, and they are ‘going’ via prayer, technology, and personal outreach.

 

No matter how we look at this command to ‘go,’ I think it implies obedience and trust. Action beyond excuses:

 

To step out before

God gives you the words

Or the exact location

 

After all – who is your neighbor but

Whoever has a need that you can fill

 

So – there is your challenge for today:

 

Go!