"GO"

The word “go” is a key word for our dog, Sox.  Sox is a tiny toy poodle.  If anyone in the house says the word, “go” Sox jumps up even if he is in a deep sleep.  We thought we could trick him by spelling go.  We began to say, “It is time to, “G-O!”  But given the fact a poodle is the second smartest dog in the world (depending on what expert you talk to), learned how to spell really quickly. 

If it looks like Sox isn’t able to go, he will hide behind a chair and pout.  If he gets to go, he will jump up and down and around and smile as if he won the grand prize!  He will run out to the car and run in circles until we open the door.  He loves to “go”!

The word “go” is used nearly three hundred times in the New Testament for various reasons.  I have heard plenty of sermons in my life about “go” into all the world and preach the gospel.”  While that statement by Jesus is vitally important, the desire for me in this article is to engage all of us in going through life like Jesus. 

The Jesus life is living out the heart and soul of the messages of Scripture full throttle.  Taking a panoramic view of Jesus’ life we see his endurance through not eating for forty days and then being tested to turn stone into bread.  Jesus gave the perfect response to Satan, “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.” Matthew 4:4 (The Message) The view of Jesus life continues with Jesus putting the religious elites on their heels when they put a lady who was caught having sex with a man that wasn’t her husband in front of him.  He challenged their motives with a penetrating question that soured the mood by saying, “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”  John 8:7 (NLT)  The skybox view shows Jesus giving water to a woman whose life was totally screwed up.  She had multiple husbands and is now living with a guy.  Jesus’ desire for the woman was for her to find hope and peace and grace and love, not from living in bad situations, but rather, by seeing that life is about drinking from the right well that gives living hope to a stained up person.

So many stories can be shared about Jesus and the way he treated others or how he responded to the religious oppressors.  Jesus was always dignified in his response and always kept his cool about him.  He never waivered in his pursuit of helping others see hope no matter what ethnicity or baggage they carried around.  He simply loved and adored those whom he served. 

Living the Jesus life means we “go” through life just like Jesus.  Loving.  Serving.  Caring.  Supplying.  Holding.  Sheltering.  And, demonstrating an acceptance of people no matter their ethnicity or baggage they are carrying around.   “Go” means taking it in the gut from those who are mean-spirited, hateful and revengeful.  It is turning one’s cheek so that the striker can see our desire is to be kinder and to walk with them no matter how far and to give our coat even if it is below zero and to be a servant to the meanest of people who hate the very person we represent. 

“Go” means “If you want to give it all you’ve got, go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor….” Matthew 19:21 (The Message) Richness is nice and it gives freedom from financial worries, however, the richness that is most sustainable is the relationship one has with Jesus.  No amount of money can pay for a discipleship card or heavens entry fee or salvation.  The debt has been paid in full and all one needs to do is live the surrendered life of Jesus. 

The world needs us to “go” and live Jesus.  Live him with grace.  Live him with hope.  Live him with mercy.  Live him with love.  Go and be Jesus!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian