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Writing someone a check, signing it, and leaving the amount blank so that the recipient can fill in the amount requires great trust. An unscrupulous person can abscond with your entire account balance. And yet, that is precisely what Jesus asks us to do. He invites us to write Him a blank check. Doing so requires a leap of faith and trust. Are you ready to write that check? Please read more.
Financial experts warn us to write checks with caution. The potential risks are significant. It’s generally safer to fill in all the details before signing a check. They tell us to use a pen, write legibly, fill in all of the fields, avoid blank spaces, keep good records, and to be cautious with any personal information on the check.
When it comes to following Jesus, it is a completely different story. God invites us to throw caution to the wind. He asks for our complete trust. He wants us to write His Son a blank check.
Let’s look at the story of Matthew the tax collector. The Gospel depicts Matthew’s radical trust. When Jesus approached Matthew at his tax booth, he extended an invitation that was both simple and transformative: “Follow me.” Matthew responded immediately leaving behind his post and the life he knew in a profound act of trust and surrender. This moment can be likened to writing a blank check, a metaphor for the total commitment that Jesus asks each of us to make.
Matthew’s decision to follow Jesus was not merely a change of profession; it was a complete reorientation of his life. In the eyes of society, Matthew was a public sinner, a tax collector despised for his collaboration with the Roman Empire. Yet, Jesus saw beyond Matthew’s past and social status. He recognized the potential for transformation and redemption. This act of calling a sinner to be a disciple illustrates a fundamental truth of our Christian faith: no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy. There is a saying, “There is no saint without a past nor a sinner without a future.”
When Jesus calls us to be His disciples, doing so requires leaving behind the familiar and embracing the unknown. This is the essence of writing a blank check—offering oneself completely to God’s will, trusting that He will guide and provide. Doing so can completely transform our life.
We need to have courage. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and confront the uncertainties of life. The Lord’s call is never an intrusion of our freedom; rather it is a loving initiative whereby He desires to encounter us and draw us closer to Him. He invites us to participate in something greater than ourselves, to become part of His mission in the world.
Matthew likely left behind a stable income and a familiar routine. He opened himself to the possibility of a life filled with purpose and meaning. This same radical trust has been repeated by saintly people for the past 2000 years. Each call is a unique invitation to write a blank check, to trust in God’s plan, and to embrace the adventure of faith.
Our journey does not end with the initial call. It is a continuous process of transformation. Jesus does not merely ask for a one-time commitment; He desires a lifelong relationship. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, community, and service.
The act of writing a blank check is not just about surrendering one’s life; it is about allowing God to fill that check with His grace and purpose. Each day presents us with opportunities to respond to the call of Jesus, to serve others, and to live out the Gospel in tangible ways. Whether it is through acts of charity, compassion, or simply being present to those in need, discipleship is a lived experience of love and service.
We must recognize that we each have unique gifts and talents. These talents from God are meant to be used in service to others. Writing a blank check means being open to the ways God may call us to use our gifts. It is often in unexpected and challenging ways.
Ultimately, the call to follow Jesus is an invitation to a life of joy and fulfillment. It is a call to trust in God’s providence, to embrace the adventure of faith, and to be transformed by His love.
I remember being on my silent retreat in 2011. My life was profoundly changed. In the stillness of the night, with these simple words, “Brian if you want to be healed you have to tell someone you are broken,” Jesus radically reshaped my world. Jesus essentially invited me to write Him a check and trust Him enough to fill in the amount. Nearly thirteen years later, I am in awe of where He has taken me and taken Broken Door Ministries. Many lives have been touched by the message He put on my heart.
I feel certain God wants all of us to trust Him completely. He has great things in store for us when we trust and follow Him. Are you ready to hand Him a check? Will you trust Him to fill in the amount? If you do, it will be the one blank check you will be glad you wrote!
Heavenly Father, help me to step out in faith with the courage of Matthew. Help me to place my complete trust in Your Son. Guide me in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen!
AMDG
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Please take a moment to share your thoughts about today’s message below.
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Hello Brian
Thank you for that message. I hope I gain the courage to write that check. I am asking for His grace.
Gene
Brian, I’m sitting in Chas. Airport heading to LA. Hope you are doing well my friend. This message sounds kind of familiar. Kind of like Cursillo. Love you brother!
Carlos Dorthalina
Carlos
It has been too long since we have seen each other. I hope all is well for you. Safe travels! And yes, it does sound like Cursillo. Give me a call sometime.
Brian