Proddings

 September 30, 2021

I’ve often wondered how some people find the time and resources to do some of the things they do. Every so often we read of someone who like Forrest Gump is walking across the country, or who is trying to circumnavigate the globe solo in a small sailboat.  The hours most of us would spend working, Olympic athletes spend working out. Of course, they get sponsors, which aren’t available to most of us.

Fact is, apart from the ones independently wealthy, those few who do such things have so devoted themselves to their cause that others take notice and want to be a part of it. All of which makes me wonder how that might work in the realm of the spirit. If I devoted myself to prayer as these people devote themselves to their sport or cause, would others want to get on board in some way or another? I would hope at the least, God would take notice! If I devoted myself—really devoted myself—to evangelism, to the homeless, or to saving the unborn, would anyone take notice? Would it inspire anyone? 

I am convicted by Acts 2:42–“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The text goes on to say, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Daily—not annually, monthly, or even weekly, but daily. Most Methodist churches in our country haven’t received a single new member all year long. No baptisms, no professions of faith. We have programs, organizations, resources galore, but are woefully lacking in prayer, often questionable in doctrine, divided in fellowship, and fail to break bread at every opportunity. 

It is the prayer however, that convicts me. In the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus was entering the greatest trial of his life, he asked his disciples, “Couldn’t you wait with me for one hour?” They couldn’t, and we don’t. I think I speak for more than myself when I confess to often spending more time on social media and television than in prayer. There is one solution, and one only. Since none of us are given more hours in the day than anyone else, we must choose how we invest them. And I have a choice as to how I respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit: I can ignore or I can yield to his proddings. It’s my choice…and yours. May we both choose well.