“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.” — Matthew 28:19-20
Summertime brings fun in the sand and sun on the shores of rivers, lakes and oceans. At the beach, high school and college students get jobs as lifeguards for the summer. While on duty, it’s important for them to watch for anyone who is struggling to stay afloat. The undertow of the ocean can move swimmers away from safe areas before they even realize they are in danger. Lifeguards must stay alert in case someone is in trouble.
In the Bible, many of the members of the Laodicean Church were swimming in money, but didn’t realize people nearby were drowning spiritually. Though they heard the command to take the Gospel to the whole world, the Laodiceans forgot about being spiritual lifeguards. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “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.”
When we are lackadaisical like the Laodiceans, we need to search our hearts. Perhaps our life is too cluttered to follow Christ, and we need to reaffirm our commitment. The Lord doesn’t want us to be half-hearted; He wants us to be wholehearted in our service for Jesus. Daily, Paul kept his focus on sharing his faith in spite of obstacles. “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).
Even though we have jobs and responsibilities, the Lord should be our top priority. However, we sometimes get overconfident and drift into troubled waters. If we want to keep our head above water, it’s essential to be anchored in Christ. Then we won’t drown in despair because we have hope forever. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain” (Hebrews 6:19).
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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