Devotions
Doing What They Can't : Jeff's Blog
By Rev. Jeff Dixon, Senior Equipping Minister, CCC Ministries
Jul 9, 2008, 09:02

Doing What They Can't : Jeff's Blog

I thought it might be a good idea to jot down a few of the thoughts, notes, and stories that enhance and remind us of what the Holy Spirit was doing in the celebration worship experience entitled : Doing What They Can't.

Doing What They Can't

The big idea of the day was SACRIFICE

Now in many ways that is a lost concept among Christians. Most believers like the fact that Jesus sacrificed for them...and because of that we enjoy eternal life...but when it comes to sacrifice...well, let's put it this way, most are inconvenienced when God asks them to do anything.  As a result the idea of sacrifice is very foreign to most people.

Using two examples...Abraham from the Old Testament and The Wealthy Man who came to Jesus from the New Testament we talked about two sacrifices that we must be willing to make for God. A Heart Sacrifice and A Soul Sacrifice. In other words, Jesus wants you heart and soul...what you love and all that you are!

I had shared with our staff in the weeks leading up to this event what I was planning on doing and what I thought the outcome would be. I was going to ask for people to sacrifice their shoes, immediately, right there on the spot as a metaphor of their willingness to sacrifice to God whenever He asks...

The problem this can create on a Sunday is huge!

For example: Lunch plans become derailed as most restaurants won't serve you without shoes.
So that meant lunch was cancelled or someone was going to have to run into the nearest Wal-Mart!

Anything that was going to happen after church would be postponed or started later because shoes usually are necessary for most activities....

I will admit the closer we got to the time of invitation, my heart was pounding, I was anxious, nervous, and anticipating what might happen. I must admit, I didn't realize how God was moving in the warehouse that morning and I was overwhelmed at what happened.

If you were here that day, you saw it and experienced it. If you weren't you can revisit the moment on-line. Needless to say, the response was a tremendous immediate outpouring of God's Spirit moving people to sacrifice.

From my perspective I got a view of the day that was unique in that I have had the opportunity to hear from so many of the people in attendance and hear their stories...the transformational stories of what God was saying, doing, and leading them through in those moments.

I wanted to share some of those moments and stories with you...

A young lady actually felt someone tap her on the shoulder just in time to open her eyes so she could see the first pair of shoes being given at the front. Thinking someone was wanting something while she prayed she turned to see that all around her were praying with their eyes shut. That is what prompted her to look toward the front as Barbara, who was getting ready to sing a solo during the invitation, had quietly slipped off her shoes and placed them on the altar. The tap on the shoulder, she is convinced, was the Holy Spirit.

The gentleman who had decided that God wanted him to sacrifice his shoes. He determined to take his time taking them off allowing our staff to get to the front first and then hoped that perhaps he would be able to inspire others who might be hesitant to make the statement of faith and willingness. He was stunned because by the time he got his shoes off there was no room to get into the aisle. It was full of people crowding their way to the front. The word he used to describe it to me was "amazing!"

The mom who shared that her children didn't even look toward her to ask for permission to give away their shoes, when the invitation began they got up and beat her to the altar to give them away. She was touched, moved, and inspired by her own children.

The teenage boy who had saved his money for weeks to buy a pair of shoes with a "name brand" that his dad had told him he would have to pay for himself. He said to me, "I couldn't believe you asked for my shoes, and I couldn't believe God was telling me to give them away!"

The parent who shared the story of the epic battle that had taken place in their home while their young daughter had to find just the right pair of shoes to wear that Sunday. It was frustrating as this half hour battle of finding the right shoes took place. Little did they know, they were looking for the right pair of shoes to give to others.

The people who were willing to offer brand new pairs of shoes, that they had struggled over whether to buy or not, they were expensive and the purchase of the shoes involved making a sacrifice to own them, much less to give them away. Who knew that shoes had such stories?

The visitor who walked out the door and said, "Do you ask for something every week?"
That made me laugh, then they added, "I can't tell you what this meant to me today..."

The gentleman who walked out the door and hugged me tightly and whispered, "Thanks!" He tried to say more, but words were choked back with tears, so with a nod he left. He didn't need to say anything else.

The woman whose brand new shoes had been the topic of conversation earlier in the morning,,, "Those are so cute!" "Where did you get those?" "I love the way they match the outfit!" all were things talked about as they day began as people drank coffee and chatted before worship.

The man who said, "When people can understand and are willing to sacrifice ... that is a group of people who will change the world and follow God anywhere"

Another who said, "I don't know if you understand what is happening here. I have been in church a long, long time, but I have never been around a group of people like this, it is special...I have been wondering what it was or how to describe it, it is the Spirit at work, this is the place!"

The phone calls and e-mails that arrived the following morning that all began with the following or something similar...

"I just can't shake what happened in worship yesterday!"

"When you have a group of people who are willing to give their shoes, so quickly, because there was a need, that is a group of people ready to explode...do anything...change the world!"

All in all a day that I will never forget and one that helps define who we are as a ministry. My hope is that you will remember the commitment and statement of faith that you made that day...

I am willing to do, be, go, give, and sacrifice when God asks...because He asks...because I love Him!

As I said that morning, if we will do that, we will change the world with the love of Jesus.

If you couldn't be with us in person that day, then you still have a chance to make that commitment and the invitation is just as real for you! Today watch or listen to the study, the music, and the challenge...and decide...are you willing to be a person who would sacrifice...when God asks!

http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1522.shtml

The shoes were donated to Restore Orlando and they prompted a shoe giveaway that took place the following week. You have made a difference in the lives of others and you really can touch and change the world.

Find out more about Restore Orlando, you can visit them on-line at www.restoreorlando.com