"You Can't Just Sit There!"

 

“’You Can’t Just Sit There!’”

 

On July 2, 1982 San Pedro, CA resident Larry Walters thought he’d play a prank on his neighbors by attaching helium filled balloons to his lawn chair and floating over their yards. It worked—but far too well! Larry’s improvised airship rose some 16,000 feet and entered the LAX airspace. In time the gas leaked from the balloons and he landed some distance away from his launch site. Reporters met him and asked why he did such a stunt. His answer: “You can’t just sit there!”

In 1993 our New Hampshire church held a commissioning service for a young couple as they followed God’s leading to the mission field. I started my message with the above story (with some embellishments) then asked the congregation, “Aren’t you glad they’ve said, ‘We can’t just sit here. We have to go and tell people about Jesus.’?” They faithfully served overseas for many years and are still involved as they train those called of God to cross-cultural ministry. They exemplified Saleh Yemeni’s words: “If we sit at home and do nothing, we would be safe. But what kind of Christians would we be if we weren’t risking our life for others to know Life?”

I’m not suggesting we’re all destined to serve as they’ve done for 30+ years but we must remember Jesus’ final words to His followers: “…As you are going make disciples of all nations….” (Matthew 28:19, literal translation, emphasis added). In colloquial terms He’s telling us, “You can’t just sit there—reach people with My message!” And all of us are equipped to do this in some way (see 2 Peter 1:3).

A close friend has a grandson with severe autism. The boy’s parents sought services to address his needs but found no appropriate program. So they did extensive research on their son’s condition and developed an approach to help him and others. As of now there are thirteen children enrolled and funding continues to be provided. This couple couldn’t just sit there—they acted and God has blessed. Please pray for them as they work with afflicted children and their families.

You and I must fight the tendency to “Let him/her/them do something about _____!” Anglo-Irish statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” and further, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” So let’s stop “sitting there” and put God’s truth into action as He’s prepared and gifted us.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan