"Show Up!"

   Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ determine to show up for our God-given responsibilities, and then give 110 percent of God's grace when we get there.

   Of course, we don’t always feel like showing up.  In such times, we seek more than ever to be where our Lord means us to be.  Morever, we sometimes don’t consciously sense willingness and enthusiasm for our responsibility, or maybe circumstances seem less than ideal.  In such times, we cast even more of our heart and involvement into the task at hand, expecting the power of God to lead and enable us.

   “Be instant (ready) in season and out of season” (II Timothy 4:2).

   As someone has said, “Our greatest ability is availability.”  When we show up in the expectation that God Himself awaits us at venues of responsibility, great and surprising things often take place.  I cannot count the number of times I’ve been in route to a service, accompanied by feelings of tiredness, discouragement, and even a sense of disinterest. 

 Recently, for example, we conducted ten services in four days, a joyful privilege and opportunity, but also a bit daunting and tiring.   Upon arrival at the meetings, however,  I’ve found Someone already having arrived with all the presence, strength and guidance that I and the congregation would need.  I’ve literally come to feel excitement when I don’t feel excitement because I know my lack of feeling heralds the likelihood of the Lord’s strength being manifestly revealed in weakness (II Corinthians 12:9).

   If the Holy Spirit's voice were audible in our present existence, we'd often hear, “Show up!” and “Get up!” (His communication to us in times of sin and failure, a consideration for another day).  Great things can happen when we simply report for duty, as it were, with a trusting, ready, and willing heart.  Our Heavenly Father honors us with opportunity to serve as His ambassadors in whatever our calling in life may involve.  Showing up reveals our recognition of such grace, and our confidence that whether "in season" or "out of season," the Lord leads and enables those who consistently echo the words of the prophet...

"Here am I.  Send me."                                                                                                                                                    (Isaiah 6:8)