How Much More

There was a story about ten years ago about a person who went about the task of trading a paper clip for a house.  Now that seems like an impossible task, but he traded the paper clip for a fish shaped pen, then the pen for an ornamental doorknob and so on and so on.  Then, one year and 14 trades later, he traded a role in a movie for a house in Saskatchewan.  You can read about it here.  It is a classic case of building something out of nothing.

We love the rags to riches story.  The movie, "The Pursuit of Happiness" is the true story of Chris Gardner, a man struggling to make his life better.  He has been evicted from his apartment and is trying to make it through an internship as a stock broker while he cares for his son.  It is an inspirational, rising from the ashes story.  These types of stories leave us with an uncomfortable question, if he can rise from being homeless, or if he can trade a paperclip for a house, then what is my excuse?

If they can do all that with so little, why can I do so little starting with so much?  If they can do that, how much more should I be able to accomplish.

So goes the story of the early days of the Christian Church.  The original church was built on those who deserted, betrayed, denied and crucified Jesus Christ.  This group was then persecuted, tortured and stoned for their efforts.  If God can build a church using them, how much more should he be able to do through us, if we are willing.

Watch this clip from Pastor Chris.

How much more?  We live in a society where each of us have a great many advantages.  Living in this country with these freedoms and protections, imagine what God can do thorough us, if we are willing.

Now there is a New Year's resolution.  Resolve to do the great things that God calls you to do.