Acts 4:13-31
“Who am I?” It is a question most of us have asked ourselves at some point. It often stems from a challenging situation, and you have found yourself in the position of being asked (or compelled) to find a solution and carry it out. I remember the first time I felt really challenged when faced with a situation, I had no idea what to do. In the summer of 1986, I was attending Air Force ROTC summer camp (basic training for officer candidates). The entire program was designed to challenge us not only physically but also emotionally. It was to prepare us for the responsibility of leadership. Every cadet was given the opportunity to experience that moment of stretching their thinking and comfort zone. One exercise was called “Project X.” You and your team of 8-10 people were given a scenario in which you had to solve a problem and reach a successful conclusion. Think “escape rooms” before there were escape rooms, except in these scenarios, one person was the designated leader who had to lead the team. I remember saying to myself, “Who am I? I’m just “Joe bag-of-donuts”. At the end of the exercise, you were given feedback by your peers and instructors, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, all in the hope of helping you develop as a leader. Our Christian walk is much the same. God will challenge us with a proverbial scenario that, from our fleshly perspective, seems beyond our league. Even the disciples faced the challenge. In today’s verses, Peter and John were speaking to the people near the temple when the guards and Sadducees came and threw them in jail. They were afraid because of the people’s response to their teaching about Christ. Verse 13 says,” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” They were amazed because neither of them was trained and educated as theologians, yet they preached with boldness and clarity…and had an impact. Why were they successful? Because they were obedient. They knew that they had been tasked with a mission to share about Jesus. All they needed to be was obedient, and God would take care of the rest. That same truth remains today. Does education, training, and help? Yes! But without being obedient, any and all training is nothing. The first step in obedience is humbling yourself, admitting that you are a sinner, asking for forgiveness, and inviting Christ into your life and living in obedience to Him. It’s not rocket science, but it takes commitment. So, the next time God is calling you to do something, don’t respond with “I’m just an ordinary person.” Rather, respond with Here am I, Lord, send me.”
“Who am I?” It is a question most of us have asked ourselves at some point. It often stems from a challenging situation, and you have found yourself in the position of being asked (or compelled) to find a solution and carry it out. I remember the first time I felt really challenged when faced with a situation, I had no idea what to do. In the summer of 1986, I was attending Air Force ROTC summer camp (basic training for officer candidates). The entire program was designed to challenge us not only physically but also emotionally. It was to prepare us for the responsibility of leadership. Every cadet was given the opportunity to experience that moment of stretching their thinking and comfort zone. One exercise was called “Project X.” You and your team of 8-10 people were given a scenario in which you had to solve a problem and reach a successful conclusion. Think “escape rooms” before there were escape rooms, except in these scenarios, one person was the designated leader who had to lead the team. I remember saying to myself, “Who am I? I’m just “Joe bag-of-donuts”. At the end of the exercise, you were given feedback by your peers and instructors, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, all in the hope of helping you develop as a leader. Our Christian walk is much the same. God will challenge us with a proverbial scenario that, from our fleshly perspective, seems beyond our league. Even the disciples faced the challenge. In today’s verses, Peter and John were speaking to the people near the temple when the guards and Sadducees came and threw them in jail. They were afraid because of the people’s response to their teaching about Christ. Verse 13 says,” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” They were amazed because neither of them was trained and educated as theologians, yet they preached with boldness and clarity…and had an impact. Why were they successful? Because they were obedient. They knew that they had been tasked with a mission to share about Jesus. All they needed to be was obedient, and God would take care of the rest. That same truth remains today. Does education, training, and help? Yes! But without being obedient, any and all training is nothing. The first step in obedience is humbling yourself, admitting that you are a sinner, asking for forgiveness, and inviting Christ into your life and living in obedience to Him. It’s not rocket science, but it takes commitment. So, the next time God is calling you to do something, don’t respond with “I’m just an ordinary person.” Rather, respond with Here am I, Lord, send me.”
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