Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, Luke 1:1 NRSVUE
For the past year I’ve been reading through the Book of Luke and noting one word that stands out to me each day. There’s a word in Luke’s opening sentence that stopped me in my tracks: undertaken.
Undertaken means to attempt, put one’s hand to, or go about. It’s a deliberate initiative. I admire Luke’s undertaking. He sensed something needed to be done, reached out, and put his hand to it.
But why take on this monumental task?
I, too, decided, as one having a grasp of everything from the start, to write a well-ordered account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may have a firm grasp of the words in which you have been instructed. Luke 1:3-4 NRSVUE
With one person in mind, Luke took on something that required time, careful attention, and a willingness to put himself into the work. He listened to eyewitnesses. He investigated what had happened. Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, he carefully put the story together so that Theophilus could know with confidence what he had been taught.
When Luke put his hand to this narrative, he didn’t know that generations of believers would one day read his account. Or find themselves in the stories he preserved. And he couldn’t have known how many would meet Jesus through the words he put on a page.
And maybe there is a lesson here for us.
When God places something on our hearts, even if it benefits only one person, we must take the step.
We pray.
And listen.
We gather what we need.
And put our hands to work.
Then we trust God with what comes after that.
Perhaps the thing we have been hesitating to begin doesn’t need to be destined for the multitude before we take the first step. Like Luke’s undertaking, it simply needs to be done in response to the One calling us to act.
*For those of you who prayer walk, ask God what step you need to take and listen to what the Holy Spirit reveals to you. For your copy of this week’s screensaver, click here. And to access all of my YouVersion Bible App devotional plans, click here.