A Simple Act of Obedience Can Affect Generations

Last Tuesday, I was sitting on the golf course with my friend Ginger. We were watching our 14 yr old sons take golf lessons together. We were also watching our 10 yr old daughters playing and laughing together. Ginger is one of those friends that really knows me. We met 20 years ago, and she has been a friend through good and bad, through my low points and my high points. She has loved me even when it was hard. She's one of those friends that really KNOWS you, and she LOVES you completely.

I was telling Ginger about my grandmother's illness, and some of the decisions she was facing. Ginger reminded me that it was my Granny that introduced us.

You see, Ginger was a Missionary Kid to Brazil. Back in the late '80s, Ginger's family was getting ready to come home to the US for furlough and were going to be staying in our church's Missions Residence. My grandmother knew they would be coming, and knew we were the same age, so she asked me to write Ginger. She felt God leading her to make this family feel welcome and encouraged me to do the same. I took that address, and wrote Ginger in Brazil.

Ginger and I ended up being great friends. I helped her find some community here, and she helped me to grow in my walk with Christ. For the past 20 years, she has been a friend and confidante. God blessed us both with children at the same time, so not only did we get to experience each others friendship, but our children have grown up together and are now doing life together. My grandmother's calling to missions and act of obedience in responding to this missionary family is now affecting its second generation through incredible friendship in the Lord.

This week is one of my favorites because it is the week where we are reminded another act of obedience affected 2000 yrs and counting worth of generations forward, not to mention all of those preceding it. For me, the most moving part of the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion is the prayer he prays in the garden. In that moment, the disciples have fallen asleep. Jesus is alone in the garden. He could have tucked tail and run from what was about to happen to him. He was fully human, so I don't believe he could foresee the events that were to come. But he also knew the Scripture and the prophecy, so I believe he had a pretty good idea of what it would take for the prophecy to be fulfilled. "He was despised and rejected...bruised for our transgressions...pierced for our iniquities." No way around that...it doesn't sound like a path anyone would want to take. So, he had every reason to bow out. But there in that garden, Jesus has that moment where he basically says, "Father, if there's any other way for this to be accomplished, then let this way pass from me. But, since it doesn't appear that there is, I love you and trust you enough to take the next step forward in accomplishing Your purpose." Talk about an act of obedience that has affected generations!

I love this week. It is a painful week as we walk through that last week in Jesus' life. It is painful as I reflect upon the initial sin of Adam and Eve that led to this means of God reconciling Himself to man. It's painful as I reflect upon my own sin that held Jesus to that cross. But it's a glorious week, as we witness how Jesus' life and death of obedience resulted in the Resurrection and hope for ALL of man -- past, present & future. As we move through this week, let's commit ourselves to be a little more obedient. Who knows when God might use one simple act of obedience to affect generations to come!