With very heavy hearts, Sonny and I took the last US evacuation flight out of Liberia on Friday. It was one of the hardest decisions we have ever made. We are quarantining at home, and looking forward to being able to see family and friends when it is safe to do so. Thank you all so much for your prayers. Sonny recently sent the following out, so you may have already read it. I hope it brings you encouragement.
Stay safe,
Shawn
In the days following Easter, I have found myself in the Gospels, reading slowly and methodically at what took place in the days following the resurrection.
I became very focused on Mathew 28. The disciples had gone to Galilee, as Jesus instructed them. Jesus appears to them; they worshipped him; some doubted.
Jesus starts off by saying “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” What an amazing statement. Not partial authority, not some authority, not concerning some things and not others – All. Honestly, this is difficult for us to come to grips with. Who sits at the throne of our lives and has complete authority over it? For me, I am guilty of taking that seat at times. I allow Christ to sit there yes, but… I become comfortable, proud, and self-righteous, and the next thing you know, there I am. I become fearful and anxious, and the next thing you know, there I am, somehow thinking I can solve the ailment on my own.
When Jesus says “All Authority”, he means just that. There is no authority, at any time, or any place or under any circumstance that escapes it. All authority.
What does he say next? What does he do with this authority? Not what one might expect. One might expect a ruler who would free the Jews of Roman oppression. A military or political ruler the likes of which the world had not seen. Today, what are we expecting? A great physician who will come and wipe this covid virus from the face of the earth? No. Jesus says “…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” He does not call down legions of angels, which are under his authority, to set things right in such a broken, sinful world. Suffering marches on. Rather he tells us to roll up our sleeves and get to work. He also tells us he is with us always. Many must question the Sovereignty of God in such times. Many must question who is sitting at the throne of their lives. Many must question his authority. Rather, His authority is affirmed. Take a closer look at what Jesus says and what He says is to happen with this authority. Clearly the will of the Father is for us to serve. We are to do so by making disciples and baptizing in the Name of the One who gives the authority to start with.
I pray for Liberia. Shawn and I pray that when we drive out the gate of our compound, that the poverty and corruption and brokenness will no longer surround us. No. Those things march on. “Therefore go…”, we are reminded. We pray for the world in the depths of this crisis we are in. We pray that many would come to know who it is that has complete authority in both heaven and earth. We pray that many would come to realize that giving authority over their lives to governments or any other things of this world is futile. All authority has been given to Christ. And what does He do with it? He instructs us to go. Next door, across the globe, and everywhere in between.
Together, let’s pray and reflect upon who it is that sits at the throne of our lives. Who has authority? Today we are scared and anxious. Give the throne to the One who has All authority. He always has, and always will.
God bless, Sonny DuPre