Nearly every day we hear of another buyout, one company purchasing another. For clients and patrons, the change may be minimal, but for the employees working there, the changes can be drastic. An entire staff can be let go and replaced with the new owner’s people. In that case, the existing staff is given notice and, if high enough up the ladder, may be offered a severance package. Others are just terminated. For all, it is an unforeseen upheaval and presents an overnight urgency to search for new employment, with the least disruption possible. If they’ve become comfortable with the way things were, this comes as a serious wake-up call to get busy, bring those CVs up to date and begin scouring the job market. It’s an adrenaline rush fueled by panic and an anxious look at bank balances.
When the Kingdom of God invaded Israel, the beginning, the birth of a child, went mostly unnoticed. Soon, however, there would come strong winds of change. Unlike Ninja invasions where the intent was evil, the Kingdom came to undo millennia of lostness. The life-giving intent was to rescue lost souls, prying them away from their previous ‘Owner,’ and restoring them to their original design and family. Not surprisingly, this action was ill-received by the status quo, prompting vigorous pushback.
Jesus’ disciples were, one day, content as simple folk living quiet, unremarkable lives. Suddenly, they found themselves at the forefront of this Kingdom-advancing thrust. Without warning, they were commissioned for a vast, and incredibly public, campaign, one minute hearing of the need, the next, being its ‘first responders.’ They were empowered for works so far beyond their natural abilities that they needed plenty of assurance (I know I would have!) Maybe Jesus was the first to coin the phrase, ‘Everybody gets to play’ (and John Wimber was merely parroting the Master). Today, all these Centuries later, the need is as great, the resistance of the realm of darkness is as strong, and the love of God is as compelling as ever for all who gladly welcome the ‘new ownership.’ Looking forward to seeing all you Ambassadors of the King of Kings tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM UK. PD
