Good guides ANTICIPATE NEEDS: Jesus knows what we need. Always.

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time,
and always start with the person nearest you.” – Mother Teresa
 
"Awareness of others is a beautiful thing. Learning how to support and encourage, and stopping long enough to pay attention to someone other than yourself, is a truly beautiful quality." ~ Actress, India de Beaufort

Our very experienced tour directors knew that each individual traveler would have unique expectations, unique needs, unique inclinations, maybe even to go a little rogue and get into ‘situations.’ Add to that a lack of familiarity with culture, there is great potential for things to go badly. 

We needed guides who were faithful to watch, listen, teach, and intervene when necessary. (See the introduction to Good Guy(d)s—the account of “Kay and the Quito Crafters.” Had I not been rescued by our attentive guides, I might still be in Quito, Ecuador!)

What if Andres and Jonathan had given us only “a talk” about snorkeling, then threw us to the sharks (so to speak)?   What if they had not taken us to a cove, where, under their watch, we practiced? What if we didn’t have a chance to get comfortable with breathing under water?  Would our deep-water snorkeling have been a good experience for all 16 of us?  They knew we needed to practice, practice, practice.

Luke’s gospel (Luke 10:1-16) tells us about the day that Jesus released 72 of his followers to regions He planned to enter later.  The 12 disciples had been following Jesus for a year or more, watching him, still coming along in their understanding little by little.  Jesus chose 72 more followers to be a part of this first mass outreach effort.

So, imagine sending out an army of 72 new disciples, only a few of whom were just starting to ‘get it.’  Knowing what they  might encounter, and what would help them accomplish their task, Jesus gave them instructions:

• First: Pray. Pray for a great harvest of souls who want a place in my Kingdom.
• You are like lambs.  Innocent, vulnerable, humble.  You will be interacting with those who are like wolves—hungry, predatorial, protective, and vicious.  Keep being lambs.
• You won’t need money, so don’t take any.
• You won’t need to pack for this trip.  Your needs will be met.
• Your objective is to reach the location I am sending you to.  Don’t visit with the people you encounter on the journey. Keep moving.
• When you arrive, go door-to-door.  Bless the homes as you enter them: “God’s peace  (shalom) be on this house.”
• Accept hospitality offered to you.  Stay in one home while you are there. Eat what they offer you.
• Towns that welcome you will experience the Kingdom of God. People will be miraculously healed.  
• Keep telling them, “The Kingdom of God is near you right now!”
• If a town rejects you, move on!  On your way out, wipe the dust of the town from your shoes and declare, “You guys are missing the Kingdom!   It is right here, and you are oblivious. You will be judged.  Your fate is determined by your decision.  There is nothing we can do.”

With that bit of instruction, the 72 went out.  When they returned, they reported to Jesus, “Even the demons obey us when we use your name!”  (This was their practice, practice, practice.)

Jesus, sensing their childlike enthusiasm, knew there was one more important lesson to teach, or they could miss the point, and chase the sensational for its own sake.

“The things you have seen with your eyes—they bring you joy and blessing.  You have seen what many kings and prophets have never seen.  They long to hear what you have heard, but they haven’t. These are wonderful gifts, but your rejoicing is ultimately for THIS reality:  YOUR names, my good friends, are registered in heaven.”

REJOICE! YOUR NAME IS REGISTERED IN HEAVEN

Imagine what that looks like. What that really means …

Your name. My name. Registered in heaven.  Imagine the implications of being on the Creator’s list of Kingdom citizens! What does that mean for here and now?  What does that mean for those we know and love—those who are also on their path to becoming, and those whose names are NOT registered in heaven?  What does that mean for the suffering in this present world?  What does that mean for the new heaven and earth to come?

We are already citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, but the ‘ways’ we know are the ways of the world. We have to learn, as fully as possible, HOW to live as Kingdom people, and then be good guides that teach and train others as well.

MY PRAYER: “Father, as I go about each day, first, I will rejoice that you have put MY name in your heavenly ledger. My greatest need was to be brought to life.   You not only included me, but you know me (as you know each of your children) completely and intimately. You know who I was, who I am now, and who you created me to be. You know exactly what I need and when I need it.  Thank you for good earthly guides who have at times been your voice, your hands, and your feet in my life.  Thank you Holy Spirit, that wherever you are, the Kingdom of God is present. And You are in me!  The reality of carrying the Kingdom of God to places I go and the people I see, is too wonderful to fully comprehend!  I am humbled. I am honored.  Amen.”