Yet, on my priority list, this obligation is very near the bottom. I have a few dozen people listen to me talk about basketball for a couple of hours per week. While it is exciting that I get to do it, the overall importance in my life is minimal. So why do I act as though it is a big deal?
Unfortunately, I often feel like I take my significant blessings for granted. I have a home, a job that I love, vehicles to get me back and forth, a wonderful church, great friends, and an amazing family. These are all blessings that many people don’t have. Yet, I still find myself going through the motions. The excitement I once had for all of these things comes and goes with circumstances. I am spoiled.
Perhaps the thing that I take for granted the most is my relationship with Jesus Christ. I know God, the Creator of everything and the One who gave me life. I get to talk to Him, hear from Him, and experience His love every day. And because of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, I get to spend eternity in His presence. This is a blessing so great that it should make it impossible for me to calm down. Yet…I go on about my day.
When we share Christ with people, we do so because we know the importance of having a relationship with Him. Sometimes we are able to show our excitement for the gospel, but all too often we end up just trying to provide convincing evidence. The gospel should be the most exciting thing in our lives. It is, in fact, the most exciting thing in the history of creation.
And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. (1 Peter 1:12b NLT)
Or, as it reads in The Message version of the Bible:
Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this! (The Message)
Literally, aside from creation itself, the story of Jesus Christ is the biggest event in the history of everything. The fact that we are not always buzzing about the news, even 2,000 years later, is an obvious byproduct of our sinful nature. If we truly believe this good news, then we all need to take some time to realize how big of a deal it is.
"Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." -Francis of Assisi