I Dare You to Move
"I dare you to move. I dare you to move."
I dig Switchfoot, but even by the way I confess that, you can tell I am no longer hip. Post-hip is what my friend Marty likes to say. Post-hip is when you have moved past the idea of needing to be hip, though actually it is more what you use to comfort yourself when hip has moved past needing you. But this isn’t about hip; not today. It’s about moving and needing and needing to move.
I hear an awful lot of talk these days from people about God’s purpose for their life. Everywhere I go hear about people praying that God will let them in on the little secret He has stashed away in the next best selling book - the secret that clearly lays out their next 60 or so years on the planet.
I spent 6 years on my knees praying for God to show me how He wanted to use me. Week after week, I prayed and believed that God would show me His plan for my life. And I reasoned that as I became a faithful steward of a few things He was preparing to put me in charge of many things. Did I mention that I am an ego maniac? But I don’t believe that anymore, except for the ego maniac part -- I may be a heretic, but I am honest with myself.
Those are hard words to say these days. Blame Rick Warren if you will, but these days it seems that everybody that even drives near a church believes that God has a wonderful detailed plan for their life that will magically open up one day (soon) and at that point they will cruise (on the will of God) into a beautiful sunset of success (just as soon as the mystery is revealed). And me, I am just a heretic.
The people that call me a heretic point to Jeremiah 1 for their proof. In the Message, it reads like this:
But most other versions are less general about those plans. The CEV reads
In most other version, it isn’t about a life that was specifically planned, but rather that Jeremiah was chosen to speak to the nations. Well, guess what? In Matthew 28, Jesus said the same thing to each and every one of us:
And in Isaiah 58, God spoke and said:
It’s all right there in starlight and bible black. But maybe I should pray about it some more. Maybe I should wait for a real sign.
Please overlook my facetiousness and please don’t misunderstand me in respect to prayer. Prayer is the well from which I draw all my strength, but as much power as can be found when you are on your knees, there is much more momentum when you are on your feet.
For me it finally became evident that the answer was clear. I needed to do something. I needed to move. I think Jonathan felt this way in I Samuel 14. The Philistines were waiting to battle the people of God and God clearly wanted them to destroy the Philistine army. But the Israelite king and his army were waiting, possibly sleeping. But not the king’s son. Jonathan couldn’t wait anymore. He heard God clearly and God was saying “I dare you to move.” So he moved. Jonathan had no idea of any specific plan, beyond moving into the will of God.
Jonathan didn’t wait for a specific plan. He knew the basics: beat the Philistines. He didn’t pray long about how or when. He just moved in the direction of the will of God. Maybe most bravely, he did it only for the will of God and not for his sure success. “Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf.” is how Jonathan encouraged his armor bearer. And then they moved and then they won. And Israel won a great battle that day. Not because of the strength of Jonathan. You see, when Jonathan started to move, God showed up.
So I am saying to you, today, I dare you to move. And just like Jonathan’s armor bearer, let me add, "Do all that you have in mind, I am with you heart and soul."
I dig Switchfoot, but even by the way I confess that, you can tell I am no longer hip. Post-hip is what my friend Marty likes to say. Post-hip is when you have moved past the idea of needing to be hip, though actually it is more what you use to comfort yourself when hip has moved past needing you. But this isn’t about hip; not today. It’s about moving and needing and needing to move.
I hear an awful lot of talk these days from people about God’s purpose for their life. Everywhere I go hear about people praying that God will let them in on the little secret He has stashed away in the next best selling book - the secret that clearly lays out their next 60 or so years on the planet.
I spent 6 years on my knees praying for God to show me how He wanted to use me. Week after week, I prayed and believed that God would show me His plan for my life. And I reasoned that as I became a faithful steward of a few things He was preparing to put me in charge of many things. Did I mention that I am an ego maniac? But I don’t believe that anymore, except for the ego maniac part -- I may be a heretic, but I am honest with myself.
Those are hard words to say these days. Blame Rick Warren if you will, but these days it seems that everybody that even drives near a church believes that God has a wonderful detailed plan for their life that will magically open up one day (soon) and at that point they will cruise (on the will of God) into a beautiful sunset of success (just as soon as the mystery is revealed). And me, I am just a heretic.
The people that call me a heretic point to Jeremiah 1 for their proof. In the Message, it reads like this:
Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.
But most other versions are less general about those plans. The CEV reads
The LORD said: … before you were born, I chose you to speak for me to the nations.
In most other version, it isn’t about a life that was specifically planned, but rather that Jeremiah was chosen to speak to the nations. Well, guess what? In Matthew 28, Jesus said the same thing to each and every one of us:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.
And in Isaiah 58, God spoke and said:
…spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed…
… then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the LORD has spoken
It’s all right there in starlight and bible black. But maybe I should pray about it some more. Maybe I should wait for a real sign.
Please overlook my facetiousness and please don’t misunderstand me in respect to prayer. Prayer is the well from which I draw all my strength, but as much power as can be found when you are on your knees, there is much more momentum when you are on your feet.
For me it finally became evident that the answer was clear. I needed to do something. I needed to move. I think Jonathan felt this way in I Samuel 14. The Philistines were waiting to battle the people of God and God clearly wanted them to destroy the Philistine army. But the Israelite king and his army were waiting, possibly sleeping. But not the king’s son. Jonathan couldn’t wait anymore. He heard God clearly and God was saying “I dare you to move.” So he moved. Jonathan had no idea of any specific plan, beyond moving into the will of God.
Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.
Jonathan didn’t wait for a specific plan. He knew the basics: beat the Philistines. He didn’t pray long about how or when. He just moved in the direction of the will of God. Maybe most bravely, he did it only for the will of God and not for his sure success. “Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf.” is how Jonathan encouraged his armor bearer. And then they moved and then they won. And Israel won a great battle that day. Not because of the strength of Jonathan. You see, when Jonathan started to move, God showed up.
So I am saying to you, today, I dare you to move. And just like Jonathan’s armor bearer, let me add, "Do all that you have in mind, I am with you heart and soul."
posted by MickyMcB | 9:24 PM
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