I thought I might have to live to 100 to see the widening of a major highway in our area ever finished. It took years to finally get it done, but now the trip north is a breeze.
I know why it took so long. Mountains. Yup, they were trying to put a road where there were hills and mountains. Those don't move easily - after all, they've been there for a long time. But they did move. Because even a mountain was no match for explosives like dynamite.
It's amazing what dynamite can do. It blows away whatever is in its way.
I love the fact that the Bible calls the Gospel - the Good News of Jesus - "the power of God." Actually, the original Greek word God used here is "dunamis." And that's where we get our English word - you guessed it - dynamite. The Message of Jesus' death for us on the cross and His resurrection from the dead is God's dynamite!
I spent July praying for and encouraging 60 Native American and First Nations young people as they shared that explosive Message on ten reservations. They were right out in the open, on basketball courts in the middle of everything. They faced obstacles that have hobbled missionaries for centuries - "Jesus is the white man's god"..."We have our own religion"..."All religions are basically the same"..."Bad things were done to us in the name of Christianity."
But God used these brown-skinned ambassadors of our brown-skinned Savior to detonate God's dynamite. And hundreds of Native young people did what so few have ever done - put their lives in the hands of Jesus. Because dynamite blows away whatever is in its way.
But with the victories, there were tears. Over too many who just turned their back on Jesus, in spite of a young warrior who poured out their heart to reach them. It's a heartache not unique to reservation rescue attempts. Many of us carry a heavy burden for someone who just doesn't seem to care about the Savior who cares so very much for them. And we wonder if they'll ever get to Jesus.
On those nights this summer when I saw the tears of brokenhearted rescuers who had to leave someone lost, I gave them a promise from God. "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest" (Psalm 126:5-6).
When we give someone the Good News about Jesus, we're planting a stick of holy dynamite in their hearts. It's dynamite strong enough to demolish the walls and defenses around a lost heart. And God knows exactly what time is the right time to push "detonate."
No, it's way too soon to give up. You told them about Jesus. And God has lit the fuse.