Kick The Can
By Susan Klein
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is
on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has
sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and
release for the prisoners…”
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Hidden deep within
the waist-high grass, I watched as the captor passed nearby. Everyone else had already
been captured and put “in jail.” I was the only one remaining who could set
them free. Timing was crucial. I had to wait for the captor to get far enough
away from the can so I could sneak from my concealed position and rush to kick
it over before getting captured myself. The moment arose. Heart beating wildly,
I sprang up from hiding and ran with all my might, arriving just in the nick of
time to kick the can and free the captives!
If you’ve ever
played “kick the can,” you know how exhilarating it can be! It requires a
certain skill set of bravery, speed and strategic timing. The goal of not being
captured rivals only the ultimate goal of setting the captives free.
The prophet Isaiah
prophesies in the above verse to his people about the One who will come to set
the captives free. I have to believe it was rather exhilarating for him to be
the designated messenger. Imagine getting to be “the person” chosen to deliver
the news to people in captivity that there was Someone coming who would release
them from their bondage, bind up their broken hearts, and set them free!
Have you ever
experienced that kind of exhilaration? Have you ever been the kicker of the
can, the messenger to someone of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Do you
consider yourself to be chosen for such a task? It may take some similar skills
of bravery and strategic timing, but not to worry. If Jesus is your Savior, you
carry the power of His Holy Spirit within you. If you are willing and
available, He will empower you at the right time with the right words. And when
He does, be prepared for an elation like none other!
What do you say, are
you ready to kick the can?!!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What fears or trepidations might
keep you from sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ?
2. Will you ask Him for the opportunity
to be the kicker of the can, the messenger to someone in need of His saving
grace?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to Mark, and
has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and
tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at
Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.
