The Holy Huddle

The Great Commission, given by Jesus, is the command for Christians to spread the gospel to all people of all nations in our world.  Some will recognize the seriousness of Jesus' words, and begin the task with prayer and enthusiasm.  Others will not accept those same words of Jesus as their personal responsibility. 

At church, we were given a simple wrist bracelet that reminds each of us that "We are the body of Christ called to be Jesus in every neighborhood in our city and beyond."  It's a little reminder that goes with us to motivate us in a mission that is not limited to the four walls of a church building on a given street corner in the town where we live.  Our mission, Bible ordained by the Son of God himself, is to reach the world with the saving grace of God.

It probably goes without saying, that's a big job.  Perhaps the magnitude of the responsibility causes some to shy away or disregard the command completely. Others may pass the responsibility on to the "hired help," thinking the church has people hired to fulfill that job.  Then there may be some who dwell on the words of the Great Commission and actually take Jesus' command seriously, involving themselves in  a lifestyle of sharing Bible truth, Christian values, and even personal testimonies with everyone they meet.

One of the preachers used a phrase this past Sunday I hadn't heard or thought of in a long time.  He was describing some of the priorities of our church in teaching the lost, and referred to those who do not see the mission of the church being involved in the Great Commission.  The indication was those are the folks who are in "The Holy Huddle."   Perhaps football season is about over for this year, but picture your team, playing on offense, and making plans and strategies for their next move.  Usually someone on the sidelines will signal a play toward the huddle and the quarterback will tell the team in the huddle which play has been called.  That's a secret to the opposing defense and they are left with a guessing game as to the manner they will defend against the offensive play.

Are we like that when we are negligent in aligning ourselves to be people set on serving Jesus.  Do we who are  safely in the church and on our way to the promised land, huddle ourselves inside our churches, and keep the lost, the weak, the needy, the homeless, and those who do not fit the mold of what a church member should be, on the outside?   Are we in our "holy huddle," keeping the message of salvation a secret to those who really need him?

You may be the one God is calling on to lead a missionary effort in another country.  Maybe you have been put where you are, to reach the family living across the street from your house.  Perhaps you have the job you have because God put you there to be a witness to other workers.   I don't know all the where's or when's, not even the why's.  I just know Jesus expects each of us to share the gospel message of his loving sacrifice, and that mission reaches into your home, your school, your office, and your life.

May our prayer always be, "Here am I, Lord......send me."

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