880 Rip Off the Roof

Why did you stop trying? Really, what was it in your way that made you give up? What was the ‘no’ that made you decide it wasn’t possible? What was the obstacle that finally stopped your progress and made you assume it wasn’t God’s will for your life to move forward? Was it the people in the way? Was it the closed door? Was it the difficulty? Was it the rules? Was it what others would think or say? Something caused you to stop … and what if that something can totally be blown out of the water today? What if your limitations could be removed and you were given permission to do things that seemed a bit ridiculous to keep moving toward the life God has for you? Isn’t that who God is looking for … he’s looking for the ones willing to overcome obstacles and do ridiculous things in the face of surmounting odds to become more like who He created them to be. He’s looking for people who will lead the way instead of get in line and wait for something they don’t even know they’re waiting for. He’s looking for people who will stare down an obstacle and figure out a way to go around it, and drag a few other people around it with them. He’s looking for some bold modern day Peter type people. People bold enough to do the unexpected, say what others may judge, and get back up again when they fail. He’s looking at you and asking if you’re going to stop getting discouraged now. He’s looking at you and asking if you’re going to toughen up and figure out a way to step into the life you were designed for. If you’re still waiting for this thing to be easy, you’re not ready. If you’re still looking for the quick fix, magic diet, instant success, and winning numbers, you’re not ready. Are you ready? Are you ready to drop your excuses and overcome your limitations? Are you ready to climb some walls, tear through some roofs and hang from the ceiling to tap into the power of Jesus? Wait, what? Did I just go too far? You’re not ready to climb walls? You’re not ready to tear through a roof or two? You’re not ready to tie some ropes and hang from the ceiling? Then maybe you’re still limited by what’s in your way and you’re going to stay stuck. Matthew, Mark and Luke all 3 tell us the story of some men who were desperate enough for the power of Jesus that they dropped excuses and overcame limitations. They broke a few rules, caused a scene, and left some damage, but it’s what was required to get to Jesus. These men had a friend who was crippled and they knew somehow, someway they needed to get him to Jesus. When Jesus was in their town they went to their friend and put him on a bed and began carrying it. Let me stop right there. Y’all need some friends like this. Some friends that will carry you to Jesus. Some friends that will do more than stand at your bedside and weep with you when you are hurting, but some friends that will lift you up and say ‘we’re not settling for this, let’s get help.’ Friends that won’t let you wallow in your despair and leave you in the darkness, but drag you and your bed through the streets of town to seek Jesus. Oh, but often times we just want friends who will wallow with us. Friends who will co-sign in your misery and show up for your pity party. Sorry, I won’t be that friend with you. I love you too much to see you waste what God has put within you. I know how darn precious this single day of life is and I won’t willingly watch you waste it waiting for a better one to come. I’m gonna drag your butt to Jesus. I’m gonna remind you of who you are and who’s you are. Be that kind of friend. Be that kind of wife. Be that kind of mama. Get some fight in you with a relentless love that will seek Jesus no matter what is in the way.