BOLD is being held back

The only thing holding us back from having a revival, shouting our praises, pacing up and down the aisles because God is amazing … well, it’s us.

During the time of the New Testament, we read of people doing new things, different things, taking adventures, traveling all the way around their known world. These followers took great pride in showing the love of God to others and praising God for all He did. Through emperors such as Nero and persecution from neighbors, the “New Testament” followers of God still found time to meet together and share how God was providing.

So why doesn’t that happen today?

There are many possible answers, each describing a different person in our modern culture.

Money.

Money is valuable. When I cannot see what it is doing then I get worried. Why should I donate money to a church if they don’t tell me why I am giving, and then they don’t show me how the money is making an impact?

Time.

I have so much to do! I hardly have time for my spouse and kids; how can I spend time I don’t have going to church or helping with an outreach?

Saving face.

The people I work with or am friends with will think I’m odd if I go to church or talk differently or don’t smoke and drink. How can God expect me to be that different if He says we are to make disciples of all nations?

Resources.

I am only a 20something with hardly anything to my name. I don’t speak well in front of people, sometimes it is hard for me to carry on conversations, and I do not have a lot of knowhow when it comes to working with my hands. How can God ask me to work with these people or help with this project?

You are more concerned with how the world views you than if God is able to take care of you.

I realize that last sentence may be a little harsh, but it is a reality. When people perform, instead of just thanking or praising God, they are concerned about what other people think of them. The idea that “God is taking care of me” is replaced with “these other people think that God and I are tight.

So change something, anything, one thing. Pick one thing to change . . . it could be a sitcom you decide to skip watching, certain jokes you decide to keep to yourself, certain people you are kinder towards, whatever.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”