Jason Salamun

“I’ll pray about that.”

In a way, this statement sounds super-spiritual.  It leads one to think this person is going to wake up at 4am, go on a mountaintop and watch the sunset, and get an epiphany from God about whether or not  to do whatever it is they are praying about.

Many times, it doesn’t works out that way.

Often, it’s a buffer.

However, there’s something you don’t have to pray and ask God about.

Something you don’t have to seek God’s will on.

What is it?

What He’s already said.

Should I forgive this person?

No need to ask, He he’s already said so.

Should I show these people love?

No need to ask, He’s already said so.

Should I be an active part of a community?

No need to ask, He’s already said so.

Should I work on this marriage even though we’re incompatible?

No need to ask, He’s already said so.

Should I sacrifice my time, money, and energy, even though I don’t feel like it?

No need to ask, He’s already said so.

I could go on.

Imagine if we’d just say “yes” to what God has already commanded?

What if our first instinct to what God has already said was a green light rather than a yellow light (which we often secretly wished would turn red so we wouldn’t have to be inconvenienced)?

We could pray more pointed prayers.

We could be bringing hope to the hopeless.

We could be a giver rather than a taker?

We could begin healing relationships?

We could be on our way to the life we’re meant to live.

This isn’t to say seeking God isn’t important. Of course it is.

But don’t use prayer as an excuse to delay what God’s commanded.

Just do it.

And see what happens.

Recently, I had the opportunity to pray at center ice of a local pro hockey game in front of 4500 people.

It was a sweet moment.

As I was waiting by the penalty box listening to the National Anthem, I thought, “Why me?”

With the chill of the ice beneath my feet and the chill of the goosebumps on my arms as the young gal sang, “of the land and of the freeeeee” I was dumbfounded how I got to this point.

How did I go from sitting on the sidelines of life watching others live their dreams to playing in the game and living mine?

Why me?

I’m just an ordinary guy.

Just five years ago I was content to have a good job, take care of my family, go to church, try to be a decent person, and live a comfortable life.

Until God disturbed me.

He filled me with a passion to help people live free.

And I know the only path to true freedom is the gospel.

The gospel produces community who are on a mission to make disciples.

Followers of Jesus who love God, love people, & live free.

The gospel was the seed that birthed Project Church.

And somehow, someway God called me to be a part of this.

Why me?

There are certainly better people God could have chosen.

Better pedigree.

Better leaders.

Better communicators.

Better looking.

You name it.

Some people feel the need to point out how unimpressive I am.

Too much this, not enough that.

So and so is better.

I already know.

I’m just a dude.

But I’m a dude who really loves Jesus.

I’m a dude who really wants you to live free.

To know the Jesus that I know.

To taste the grace that I’ve tasted.

To experience the freedom that I’m experiencing.

Why me?

Perhaps my life will be proof that there is a God.

Because if he can use me, he can use anybody.

That includes you!

So here’s to The Ordinaries like me.

Like Peter and John before us, may anything extraordinary we do be because we had been with Jesus.

May he always be the extra in our ordinary.

May we always remember that.

Pursue yours.

When a parent chases their God-given dreams with their God-given talents, it tells their children they can too.

The parents who choose to be a martyr and sacrifice their passions “for the sake of the kids” are only fooling themselves.

They’re actually making it more difficult for them.

Making dreams seem more unattainable.

Parents, we set the example.

Let’s give our kids some footprints to follow.

Let’s show them a better way.

Take them along for the ride.

And love them along the way.

Pray they become who God created them to be.

And do what God calls them to do.

Lead by being who God created you to be and doing what God is calling you to do.

That’s how we help our kids pursue their dreams.