Let go of the table and be a runner for Christ

The other day my husband spent his day off with the kids and I. We went over and had some lunch then he made a stop by the Family Christian Store; I thought I'd go across the street to Hobby Lobby so we parted ways. When he came by to pick me up I noticed a book laying in my seat. I remember I buckled up an as we drove home I began reading his book"Get Uncomfortable" by Todd Phillips and let me just tell you something he certainly has a way of making you feel uncomfortable, not in a negative way, but as I read several pages, I felt every bit of the word uncomfortable...
uncomfortable because his words were hitting me like a ton of bricks and here's where my story begins.

I was in complete awe as Todd introduced me to what it means to hold on to the table. I'll share a lil of the story. He talked about several years back when his boy was just learning how to walk. He said his son spent many hours, many days walking around the same table smiling, and giggling the whole time. For the time, he was very content not to venture beyond the safety of the table, but one day he let go of the table and took a steps away from it. He found himself standing on his own. Everything had changed. Now his son is older and runs everywhere, but he runs with a purpose. The baby steps were good and a nescessary part of the process of making his son a runner. And that's when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized what Todd was telling me. What he was telling the Christian Church. Many of us are living our Christian lives holding on to the programs, events, activities of our local church or even just content saying "I'm a Christian", but we never venture out from Sunday service, Wednesday service or weekly bible study..and though all that is great I so clearly saw that I am still hanging onto the table, when I'm called to be a runner for Christ. There are times when I want to venture out; I get a little more bold... I take a step out with an arm and leg, but I never let go. I still have one grip on the table. Why? Well because it can be uncomfortable...just like a baby, it doesn't feel safe to wander off. There's a fear of falling. When my daughter was learning to walk and made that decision to let go of the table I was there, right behind her, all bent over with my arms out ready to catch the fall. And when she did I was there picking her right back up saying "go, try again" Why would God be any different? He is my parent! Ugh I felt so silly. Can you see how all this hit me right in the face? It was overwheleming.
The book goes on to talk mostly about helping others and being a servant just like Jesus. When you look at the story of Jesus, and look at who He served it was the sick, the poor, the needy, the rejects, the "sinners". He opened himself up for service. He didn't just give lip service, He was prime example of someone who let go of the table and ran. So I thought, what can I do to serve?... because if I really want to be just like Him I have got to let go of the table. I'll admit it is comfortable to go to Sunday service, wednesday night bible study and an ocassional womens outing with sisters, but there is so much more out beyond our table we so contently walk around. There are literally lost people out there begging to know Jesus, praying for a blessing, needing a helping hand, but who do we think God uses to answer their prayers?
You.
Me.
Us!
God needs us to run quickly! He needs us to be that extended hand and deliever His message of forgivness and grace...He needs us to care for the sick and the poor, and to help plant seeds everywhere! I know you may be thinking where do I go with this? How do I start? I didn't know immediately either but with prayer God gave me a fabulous idea and you can feel free to use this as well. Every week I will carry a ten dollar bill with me every where I go and on God's lead I will give that ten dollar bill to someone and simply say "Hi, I want you to have this not because I think you need it or maybe you might I just want to bless you with a little something and tell you that Jesus loves you." If conversation opens up further than that's awesome, if not at least I did something a little uncomfortable for once and let go of the table!
What about you?
Have you walked around your table long enough? Are you ready to join me and run for Christ?
Love,
Est