From Spectator to Participator

The United States has now completed an election that has seemed to have lasted for two years. During the campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama there was constant fundraising going on for one purpose, to clearly articulate the vision of their campaign. In America we have the freedom to vote, yet the fact of the matter is, when election day rolls around, there are always a large number of Americans that do not vote. The strategy of the politician is to articulate a message clearly enough that will move people from becoming spectators to becoming participators in the process. I read yesterday that Obama literally spent billions of dollars just on his campaign to ensure that people would be moved enough about the vision to move from viewing something happen to become a part of the agent of change.

One thing that concerns me is that many people never have a vision compelling enough that will move people from spectators into participators. It is the desire of every individual to make their life count in a significant way, but the truth of the matter is, we must engage our culture if we are going to make a difference. If not careful, we become spiritual spectators, expecting God to perform all of the work. Although this sounds noble, it is not biblical. When the children of Israel needed delivered from Egypt, God called a man, Moses to lead the children of Israel. When Goliath was sparking fear in the nation of the Israelites,God called a young man, David to take on the giant facing his generation. When God felt the need to deliver Ninevah, he called a man named Jonah to go and preach the message of repentance to the city. Simply put, God uses men and women that will answer the call of God to get a vision that is big enough to merit the attention of God! The answer to engage this generation and move them from spectators into participating in shaping culture is to dream dreams that spark passion in the hearts of people!

We do not live in a church that does not have a mandate, but unfortunately I feel that many churches are living unengaged because they have lost their ability to dream God sized dreams! many live satisfied on the sidelines as opposed to stepping on to the stage of what God is doing. Is there a cause that God has pricked your heart about that develops instant passion in your spirit? That spark of passion could be what it takes to move you from viewing what God is doing on the sidelines to stepping into the calling that God has for your life. Nothing of significance has ever been accomplished by people standing on the sidelines, but today is the day for a generation to participate in what God is doing!