Come and Go
Yesterday, I had an “Aha” moment. You know, where you hear, see, or read something, and it’s like a lightbulb goes on in your brain. I love it when that happens, especially when regarding the Scripture. This particular revelation concerns the words “come” and “go.”
Two words. Both verbs. Opposites by nature. The concept of “come” involves drawing in where the idea of “go” is to spread out. And life is full of both. In fact, it seems like that’s all we sometimes do: come and go. Ironically, both are commands of Jesus.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ”
“ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. ”
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. ”
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ”
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ”
“And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. ”
Come and go. Obviously, if God commands it, we should do it, but how does He expect us to do both? How can we fulfill two opposing commands? In this case, it’s essential to understand the details and follow through each step.
When God bids us to come, He is seeking fellowship and communion with us. He longs for us to approach Him as a sinner needing a Savior, a child coming to his/her Father, a friend seeking a listening ear, one heartbroken in need of a counselor, and even a bride seeking comfort in the arms of her Beloved. He wants to be and can be all things to us, so He bids us come. Come away from the world. Come away from the stresses of life. Come away from the busyness. Come away and rest a while.
Once we’ve accomplished that, then (and only then) can we go. Go into the world and preach the gospel. Go into the dark places and shine the light of God’s love. Go to the hurting and share the comfort with which He has comforted you. Go to the lost, the forgotten, the lonely, the discouraged. Go where you’re needed. Go where God sends you.
In our coming, God rejuvenates and fills us, enabling us to help others when it’s time to go. But, interestingly enough, we can come and go at the same time. Our standing orders are to “go.” Every day, we are on a mission to evangelize the lost and edify the saints. But unless we fulfill the coming and refueling, we won’t have anything to give once we’re out in the world. I think this is the message of Mary and Martha in Luke 10.
I know I mentioned this passage a few posts back, but it fits in so well right here. Martha was fulfilling the command to go. She was all about service, and that was great, but she didn’t get filled before she poured herself out, and soon, she was empty. Empty of patience. Empty of compassion. Empty of understanding. Empty of kindness. Empty of everything she was trying to express through her service. Man, oh man, do I get that!
Mary, on the other hand, realized that it was important to “come” and be filled before “going” to fill others. I believe that’s why Jesus proclaimed she had chosen the good part. Instead of looking at the world through Martha’s perspective: “There’s so much to do that I can’t spare a moment for myself. I’d love to sit and listen to Jesus for a while too, but there’s no time. I have work to do,” Mary saw things from a different viewpoint: “There’s so much to do that I must take a moment to prepare my heart and mind for the work awaiting me. It’s good to be busy, but I must take the time to be filled if I want to go out and fill others.”
Come and go. Both commands. Both good things. Both needful. But I urge you as you rush through your day and make your plans to remember that there is a time and place for each. And unless you take the time to allow yourself to be filled, you’ll have nothing to give to others. Don’t live your life running on empty. Don’t be so busy going you never take time to come.
Come to Jesus. He’s waiting!