Everywhere

"Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."

— Mark 16:20

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Upon reading this verse, it occurred to me that this is not a picture of Sunday morning. This is Monday through Saturday. After you were taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God, the disciples went out. They didn't stay gathered to bless each other, they went out to touch a needy world. When the church comes together, we do so to exhort, equip, strengthen, and comfort one another so that we can go out to preach and minister to a dark and hurting world. When we go into all the world (vs. 15), we can expect You to work with us. When we do what you told us to do, You will do what only you can do—confirm your word with accompanying signs.

If we should wonder where to go, this verse clarifies the location—"everywhere." There is no place we might go that is excluded from this command. Everywhere. I'll admit I don't do "everywhere" very well. I like the safety of a church sanctuary platform. I prefer the controlled environment of a Sunday morning. I hesitate to go out into the everywhere. But that is where you have sent me. It's where you commanded me to go. And you have sent me with a promise—You will work with me and you'll confirm Your Word with signs that will accompany it.

Lord, I want to be a man who goes into the everywhere and trusts you at Your Word to work with me and to confirm Your Word. Challenge my notion of what is safe and disrupt my preference for what is controlled. Take me to places far and wide where Your Word will come alive and be radically confirmed by signs to those far from You today.

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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