And then……
Our faces glowed in the firelight. Our giggles and laughter drowned out the sounds of nature. This, was probably to our benefit and the benefit of the world at large. As, 30 suburban, pre-pubescent Girl Scouts in the wilderness, in the dark, could have provoked the kind of high pitched screams of fear, that block radar and TV, over every owl’s “hoot” and coyote “howl” .
Instead of “enjoying quiet nature” as only girls can, we played loud games, especially “And Then…..” My personal favorite. It’s a storytelling game. A leader would begin a story, finishing her line with “And then….” the girl next to her would pick up the story, continuing and adding to it, passing the proverbial torch to the next girl. Around and around the campfire we’d pass bits and build our story. Together creating interesting, if not odd stories of adventure, rescue, monsters (usually slain) and silliness. Always ending in “And Then…”
That phrase: “And Then” has stuck with me all these years later. Last night, while readying for today’s post, it popped up again, while I was I finishing the book of Matthew.
The Great Commission:
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“And then……..” and then what? The thought popped into my mind. Is the story over? Is that it? No. This is an “And Then” from the mouth of Jesus. He leads us in what will happen next. The story continues…And then…. a mom loves her children and teaches them of God’s love and to obey Him. And then…. a Wife loves her husband and lives Christ’s love before him. And then a woman shares her life with others, going and discipling and loving those she meets…..and Jesus is with her-always even to the end of the age…..we become part of His Story.
The Great Commission- is a great “And Then…” a story that Jesus wants to continue telling through our lives. On the cross, Jesus completed our salvation, he said “It is finished” but the gospel was not. The Gospel was just beginning. The Gospel is the good news- of what Christ has done, will do and is doing. It is still a story in the making, and you have a part.
Jesus died, and rose again- and called you to be and make disciples….He promised to be with YOU always even to the end of the age…. And Then….? Today, in your devotional time- I encourage you to think about your “And Then” What is your part in the Gospel story, and how can you live it out?
As Mom? Wife? Woman? Man? (I think we have a few male lurkers out there;) Worker? Friend? Neighbor? Daughter?
And then……GO.
Dear Jesus- thank you for the great honor of being a part of your story help us to continue to tell- to share and to write the good news of all you have are and will do, sharing it as our “and then…” passing it to those we meet! I love you lord, Amen!
Tracey,
And then….. Wonderful thoughts as I begin the day. and then… Who will God have cross my path? Will they need love? encouragement? Hope? Thank you. Have a wonderful day.
Hi Tracey,
You hit the nail on the head. We are apart of Jesus’s story, we are to continue sharing our part in this story by letting Jesus in us out, to bless others. God bless and keep you and THANK YOU! for your inspirational post.
Oooh I liked this post! Amen, amen!
You are so right.. It is not finished with salvation because he not only died on that cross but He is Risen, therefore our story DOES go on. Thank you for sharing your heart with such an inspirational post.
Really enjoyed your lovely thoughts, thank you.
Tracey,
As I reread this and look at my comments. It is interesting that a woman called me and asked to meet me for prayer today. God is so good. When we are available, God surprises us in the most amazing ways.
How cool that the “and thens” will never end for those of us in God’s family. I bet there will be camping in heaven.