Getting Signatures For A Petition….

I was recently in a conversation with an elderly lady. She was getting signatures for a petition to ban bike riders in a certain section of a public park. When she asked me to sign, I responded with an answer she wasn’t expecting. I told her that the park was for all people. What was needed was RESPECT. She went in to tell me that a rule needed to be put in place to prevent the bike riders from causing fear in the older walkers (due to their perceived disrespect). I repeated my solution. She said that would work but it would be impossible to implement. I then went on to tell her that Jesus is the only answer to this problem. He is the only One Who can change a heart. I responded by telling her if I have a conversation that lasts more than twenty minutes, 99.9% of the time I bring in Jesus to the conversation. Why? Because He is the answer to life’s problems. Then she responded and said something that shows the root problem of the modern-day church. She said, “I wish I could do that” (speak of Jesus freely). I responded, “Why not, what’s stopping you?” If Jesus is the answer to life’s problems, and He is LORD of your life, why aren’t you speaking His Name in your everyday conversations? There’s only three possible answers to this question. One, you don’t believe He is the answer to life’s problems, He can’t fix them or help people. Two, He isn’t Lord of your life. Or three, the timing just wasn’t right, at that moment (which often isn’t the case). Jeremiah never had this problem. He suffered because of his free speaking about God. But his suffering didn’t compare to the consequences he would’ve had to deal with if he didn’t speak out. He would’ve burned up on the inside. Why don’t we have that kind of passion for Jesus? Why don’t we have that kind of conviction? The root cause of all three possible answers is this one simple answer: selfishness. That’s it. If Jesus is Lord of our life there’s only one right response, gratitude. And that is the reason Jeremiah didn’t internally combust trying to hold it in.

8 When I speak, the words burst out.“Violence and destruction!” I shout.So these messages from the Lordhave made me a household joke.9 But if I say I’ll never mention the Lordor speak in His name,His word burns in my heart like a fire.It’s like a fire in my bones!I am worn out trying to hold it in!I can’t do it! Jeremiah 20:8-9