Steering A Parked Car

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Luke 9:1-2

It is remarkable to me that Jesus gave power and authority to these 12 men. He knew who they were, that even one of them would betray Him! Yet He still gives them power and authority. This is so strange! These guys would:
• Have little faith, being very short-sighted
• Put their foot in their mouths (mostly Peter)
• Fail to exercise this power and authority very well
• Argue about which one would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
• Be vengeful, considering the use of their power and authority to ‘call down fire’ on people
And all of this in Luke chapter 9…

Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:61-62

It seems that Jesus values whole-hearted commitment over blundering. You can make all kinds of mistakes and have skewed attitudes as long as you’re 100% committed. You could be perfect in your speech and thinking, but if your heart is divided, you’re not fit for service in the Kingdom.

Does Jesus have my whole heart? If so, I will be moving forward in service to Him, making mistakes along the way, but that is better than making no mistakes and having no movement! Jesus is more than able to correct my course in life if I am moving. That cannot happen if I’m half hearted and not in motion.

Yesterday I had the power steering flushed out on my Suburban. As I sat in the bay I was instructed to turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, and then all the way to the right, and back again and again and again. It was the most steering I have ever done in one setting (at least it felt that way!), but I didn’t move an inch one way or the other! Jesus can’t drive my parked life either. He’ll take the blunders and the bad attitudes along the way as long as I’m in movement… pursuing Him.

Lord, I want to be fit for service in Your Kingdom. Help me not to look back at the good things or the bad (especially the bad!), but inspire me to passionately look forward to how You are leading so that I can follow closely and represent You and Your Kingdom well. Thank You for Your grace that covers my blunders and babbles… You are awesome and Your Name is worthy to be praised (Psalm 113).