The Pharisees missed Jesus because they were focused on the main thing (from their perspective) and completely missed the Main Thing.
What we would call by-products, I believe, are what makes life so exciting. With God, surprises interrupt in all the good ways.
Do you really think the brothers plot to rid themselves of colorful Joseph was the main thing? How about Jesus and the woman at the well? Do you believe thirst was foremost on Jesus' mind? Was his request to go home with Zaccheus merely to get in out of the sun or away from the mob?
It would appear that rarely is the main thing the main thing.
This fact unlocks life. We mentally and emotionally allow ourselves to open to the greater possibility beyond that which we assumed to be the issue at the moment.
I once took my family on a vacation to Abilene to visit new church friends soon after our conversion. It was the dropping by Dallas on the way home that was the surprise. With no intent of such a discussion, I found myself offered support if I would leave my job and home in Illinois to attend some sort of Preaching School.
It was the storm knocking out the power on a Sunday afternoon which caused the cancellation of evening services that I assumed to be the main thing. Yet, it was the 6:00 p.m. interview with Jackie Gleason on 60 Minutes which led to our reaching him before he died. The main thing wasn't at all the main thing I had assumed.
Some can believe their long-awaited banquet of honor is the main thing, when the meeting of the spiritually hungry waitress proves to be the purpose of the day.
Others can think the son's or daughter's game is the event of the moment. Yet, the foul ball that struck the lady nearby which required your attention and ultimate ministry alerts you to the truth that there is more to the main thing than the main thing.
I've just shared with you a tremendous secret of robust living. Rarely are we about what we believe we are about. To put it another way, often God is creating a surprise beyond our limited focus. This is why we must train to be alert. God is full of surprises. Sometimes---often times---the main thing never was the main thing.
1 comment:
Unfortunately we have been trained to believe that we must have a big "program" to do evangelism. Future believers are all around for us to minister to if we will but open our spiritual eyes.
You are right on the mark with this message. Thank you so much for all the inspiring ones.
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