2,3 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
Acts 13:2,3 (ESV)
Making moves is a vital part of sport.
It happens all the time in about any race run and competition staged. Basketball, football, figure skating and gymnastics are all built on this artistry. Coaches want to carefully use their timeouts and substitutions in order to make moves and also to stop them.
Making moves is a part of life:
- Making deposits and withdrawals
- Making friends (and sometimes enemies)
- Making a big deal or no big deal
God wants us to be great at making spiritual moves too. Let’s take a closer look at some big moves He wants us to make. Here’s the breakdown in today’s Scripture:
WORSHIPPING: So much flows out of a proper worship of God. It starts and ends here. When our worship is right, pure, selfless, sweet, then our next moves become way clearer and more confident.
FASTING: This is the strong message we send to ourselves that we’re looking for something … and desperate to find it. It’s giving up something (personal pleasures of some kind) in order to find something more important (like a new awareness or longing).
It’s about establishing a secret season of sacrifice in order to grow the soul. And those that seek so often find. God says so (Jeremiah 29:13 and Luke 11:9,10).
PRAYING: Prayer must accompany spiritual-driven fasting. Prayer sanctifies the fast and keeps it on track. It engages our hearts and minds in the fast and keeps it from being strictly about “me.” A fast about me is no real fast at all.
LISTENING/OBEYING: God has things to say … all the time. Mostly in His Word, by His Spirit. Our response must be humbly listening and obeying. Whatever He says goes. This marks the life of a maturing Christian.
DAPPING: People are made for touch. I saw KD reach back to touch/be touched before free throws he took recently in Cleveland. Laying good hands on someone is strong stuff. It’s symbolic of blessing transferred, of support given, of love expressed. There’s power in touch.
SENDING: Our going becomes way more powerful when we are sent. Good sending really launches us on a mission. You or I may be alone … but we are never really alone.
And when we worship, fast, pray, listen and obey, dap and send others, God finds ways of showing up strong too. His Holy Spirit messages us with new things to see and do. He makes moves too!
Reflect: Is worshipping the Lord part of your daily expression? Who needs your prayers?
What do you need to give up in fasting because you’re desperate to find something else that needs more of your attention? Who needs a touch of affirmation from you today?
A prayer to consider: LORD, I don’t wanna expect You to make moves if I don’t make some too. Encourage my heart to make these six moves regularly. They are so foundational. For Your glory and my joy in You. Amen.
