It’s nearing the end of football season. In the end, one team will hold the Lombardi Trophy. As I type, this is only a possibility for four teams. For the other teams, this is no longer possible. When teams hold the trophy, do they enjoy it simply because they won the game? Elements of the game make it enjoyable, sweet, and glorious! But, don’t many players when they take the trophy speak of the grind? Don’t they speak of the hard work that started in the pre-season that led them to this point? Doesn’t the hard grind make it all the more enjoyable?
Ok, you’re not into sports, isn’t it the hard work that goes into the stage performance that makes that last bow enjoyable? Is it not the hard work that went into painting the masterpiece that makes the sale of the masterpiece enjoyable?
"I do believe God calls every person to an obedient life. I believe God called me, my wife and family to start Wellspring Church."
I do believe God calls every person to an obedient life. I believe God called me, my wife and family to start Wellspring Church. It was a grind and it remains a grind. I do believe it would have been sinful for us to tell God no. I do believe had we said no, the calling wouldn’t have change, we would have sinned in light of what God was calling us into.
Why do I say this? I say this because I believe God is asking you to follow Him in obedience. Do we sometimes choose confusion about things because it may bring uncomfortably hard situations into our lives? In our human nature, we confuse what God asks of us with our sinful desires. Perhaps it’s not what God is asking of us that is confusing, perhaps our own brokenness confuses the situation.
Jason, what does this have to do with grind? What does this have to do with the end of the race being all the more enjoyable? EVERYTHING. Are you willing to grind where God has called you to grind to experience the glory God brings through obedience?
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God. Jesus is at the throne of God. Jesus is experiencing the glory of God. Jesus is inviting us into the presence of God. How? Why? Because He went to the cross! Why? He endured the cross. Why? He lived His earthly life SINLESS. Jesus is able to be our mediator, able to stand in the presence of God because He was first obedient to the point of death.
If Jesus had ignored, failed, said no to the calling on His life none of this is possible. The cross led to the crown. Death led to resurrection. Obedience led to glory.
Jesus didn’t make excuses. He didn’t manipulate what God had told Him. He clearly knew and perfectly acted. The hardship of the cross brought the glory of heaven.
"The hardship of the cross brought the glory of heaven."
So where are you inclined to manipulate what God is telling you to do? Is it from a place of “oh man this is going to be tough”? Is that from a place of selfishness or selflessness?
As a church, I believe God has asked me to lead us into an endeavor to #loveONEloveALL. I believe God is asking us to live out our mission THIS YEAR. Loving ONE person at a time on a daily basis. I believe if we do this, we will see Toms River turn upside down for the sake of the gospel. When they ask why, we we will point them to Jesus. Is it easy? Nope. Will it cost us time, energy, money? Yes. Will we need to embrace awkward situations? Yup. Will we have to love people we are not naturally inclined to love? Yup.
Will it make the glory of seeing people come to know Jesus all the sweeter? YES, YES, YES. We are invited to party with God each time someone returns to Him. He parties and we get to party as well. It ain’t no super bowl party, it’s not an Oscars after party, it’s not the up all night party after prom- this is the eternal party with Jesus Christ.
Are we willing to grind? Are we willing to hold fast to our confession? Are we willing to boldly go before the throne? Are we willing to accept what God is calling us into? Are we willing to grind out the calling of God on our lives in obedience?
Don’t skip the grind to get to the party. Grind it out, the party is sweeter when we do. Why? Because in the context of what I’m talking about, our grind leads to a much bigger party.
More people at the throne of grace. More people in the kingdom of God as quickly as possible. He can come back at anytime. We’ve got work to do. We’ve got a grind ahead of us and a party waiting for us behind the grind. LET’S GO. LET’S GO.
LOVE ONE LOVE ALL. Keep Praying for One!
Written by Pastor Jason Coache,
Lead Pastor of Wellspring Church
