15 Jun Baffled by Jesus

I remember it as if it were yesterday. My wife Ramona and I were at a dinner party in November 2019. I had been without work since February. We had heard the call to ministry and were trusting God that He would provide one, even though I had no formal theology education and scant experience. God had shown us an opportunity, but at that moment it didn’t come with an income. We shared all this when one of our friends at dinner reacted with shock.

“Wait, you’ve been out of work since February, and this thing doesn’t make money? You need to get a job (she then mentioned several retail stores where I could work at the checkout), but you need to make money now! How do you think you’re going to get by?”

Ramona responded by saying, “We’re trusting God.” Our friend replied: “Well, you’ve got a lot more faith than I do!” Four days later, a church informed us they would fund my income for 2020 to get the ministry started. Today, that ministry is Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church, which recently turned five years old. It’s not unusual for Christ-following to look “crazy” in earthly terms. The apostle Paul discovered this as he was defending himself by sharing his conversion story with King Agrippa in Acts 26:

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” 24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. Acts 26:19-25 (NIV)

Saul of Tarsus was a persecuting Christian killer. Now, the apostle Paul was risking his life to share the gospel. Absent the Holy Spirit, Festus’ response isn’t all that surprising. So, we shouldn’t be surprised when Christ-following prompts people to think we are out of our minds. An important cautionary note: this is not a license to be reckless.

God had taken two jobs from me. We knew that He took them for His purpose. We both heard the call to ministry. I applied for several pastoral jobs and got a very serious look from one church. When we’re desperate, it’s very easy to confuse an opportunity with a calling. God will equip you for what He calls you to. When you know you’re following His will, you can trust that He will provide. When people are baffled by your faith, you know you’re on the right track!

Pastor Jerry Bader