Compelled

Have you ever felt compelled to do something?

I’m talking about the every-bone-in-my-body-is-screaming-to-do-this kind of compelled?

I don’t think this happens very often in life but I do remember a time when I felt like this.

It was 1988, the Oilers were winning, the Roughriders were losing (we didn’t expect to win the next year against the juggernaut Eskimos.  Gotta have faith!), and I was in love.  This gorgeous little Norwegian had stolen my heart and I was at the point that I knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I simply MUST propose to her.  My love for her went so deep that I truly didn’t feel I had a choice.  Why?

Because I was compelled.

It’s an otherworldly sensation when you feel you must do something and there is not even a shred of doubt in you.  Mountains move, and you feel that if a mountain got in your way it wouldn’t stand a chance.

The Apostles Peter and John felt like this in their relationship with Jesus.  They were so captivated that their view of life reduced down to this one thing; their love and gratitude toward Jesus had filled them so utterly and completely that no matter the consequences or threat to their life they simply HAD to tell the world about him.

Standing before those who had the power to snuff out their life if they continued to speak about Jesus publicly they said this: “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen or heard.”
(Acts 4:20)

Those two were compelled by the love of heaven that made their decision to follow Jesus regardless of circumstance a no-brainer!

I want to say two things to you: Jesus was compelled by his love for you to sacrifice himself for your freedom.  And second: He is still moving heaven and earth in order for you to experience his compelling love!

If you let that sink in for moment you may feel some of those mountains weighing you down start to shift....

Freedom. Love. No doubts.  Sounds compelling.
B