You are familiar with my commandment to honor your father and mother. Do you do this? It does not say that you need to pay them back for the sacrifices they made to raise you. That would be a much greater burden than just to honor them. Yet if you are aware that much was invested in getting you to adulthood you can still do something about it. You can pay it forward in the raising of your own children. But this does not apply to all.

What is the source of authority? Politicians claim a mandate from winning an election. Lesser office holders are appointed by them, and the military has a well-defined hierarchy of rank. There is a similar structure in the world of commerce, and academic credentials for those in academia. Churches also have a structure of authority, often with many levels. Can anyone from outside the system exercise authority? Some people seem to carry it within themselves, or have had extreme experiences that confer it.

Are you a hero? Would you like to be one? Do you assume that heroes are larger than life figures with super powers and courage who prevail in impossible tasks? Would that make it impossible for you to be one? This club is not that exclusive. The door is open to anyone, with any abilities, at any time. All you have to do is commit yourself to a cause greater than yourself. Isn’t this the common theme of all heroic stories?

Do you see evangelism as a one-sided activity or a matter of give and take? Have you been through systematic training in methods of evangelism? Did they include listening to the stories and positions of other people? Do you recall my encounter with a woman at a well? This has been used as a template for evangelism ever since. Do you see how I engaged in a conversation with her? How eager are you to listen to canned presentations, sales pitches, or people who don’t listen to you? If you want your message of life to be received be prepared to listen as much as you speak.