When I was sixteen, like every young man, I wanted to have a fast car. My sights were not set on something that offered great gas milage or even something that looked good on a date. I wanted a ride with a big, loud engine. I finally found it. It was a '67 Chevy El Camino. I passed it on my way to work one day and right away I knew it had the potential to be that loud, fast, car of my dreams. After I talked my dad into going with me and helping me make a deal on it, we pulled it home on a rope. I began to put in the work I thought it would take to make this car all I knew it had the potential to be.
The next day I went to the local parts store to buy the manual. I thought if I began to learn more, I could find a way to fix it and get it back on the road. I also stopped to fill up a gas can so when I got back to the house I could get right to work. I pulled into the driveway, ran up to the car, put the gas in the tank, and began to work. A few days later I had sorted out some of the major issues and got the old car to start. I knew it did not sound right, but I thought, at least it was running. I thought it would not be long until I was on the road. Day and night I would rev the engine for a listen. Then I would cut it off and start to pull it apart to figure out how to fix it. I learned a lot about cars at this time in my life and continued to work. I spent all of my spare time under that car hoping for the day that I could pull it out of the driveway.
One day, not too long after, I was getting frustrated with not having the resources to properly fix this car. I decided to give it one last shot. I went outside, popped the hood and cranked up the engine. It ran for a while, and as it did, I used the knowledge I had about this car to tweak it to get it to run good enough to venture out of the driveway. It would almost run on it's own but then I would rev the engine and flames would shoot straight out. Finally it started to chug and gave one final cough and sputtered to it's death. I had run it out of gas. Later that summer, I worked out a way to get rid of this car and bought something that was able to get me out of the driveway and off to work. I figured out that in the time that I had the '67 I burned $20 worth of gas and it never moved more than a few inches.
God reminded me of this story, this morning, as I was praising him for the ministry that He has given us to do here in Amarillo, Tx. I thought of the frustration many Christians feel as they sit and rev the engines of their faith, knowing that God has prepared and equipped them to do a great work. Many in the church will settle for an inspirational story or a trip to the bookstore. But those who have seen the Hand of God move and seen lives change are not satisfied. Dad called this "hearing the trumpets in the morning."
At Citychurch we are faced with the choice every day. God has miraculously supplied for our needs and He has given us a clear mission. We have to be obedient to drive down Polk Street, over the railroad tracks and into the neighborhoods that He has called us to reach. The people who have joined us in this effort are those who are tired of sitting in the seats of the church and only hearing the word of God. They want to see what that Word can do when it is applied to a problem that is out of their control. They are the people who will not settle for seeing the Power of God work only in small, superficial, areas of their lives. They want to see the whole city come to a knowledge of that Power.
This summer we had over 600 of these dear brothers and sisters who put action with their faith. They woke up each morning with a call and a realistic opportunity to go and reach this city. Kids were brought from the poorest parts of our city. They were fed and witnessed to by Christians who came from as far away as Alaska. Twelve year old missionaries came to have their first experiences serving God in the mission field. Mothers and fathers brought their kids to ride on a bike route and pass out lunches. Christian people from all over our city came to The Jesus Loves You Celebration to encourage and minister to the lost.
God's people have left the driveway are on the move. They are living their faith and The Name of God is being lifted up in our city. Come and join us!
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
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