IT The childhood game of tag is when roles are changed from the chased to the chaser. You are now “It” with an opportunity to tag whoever you can chase down. This game is only fun, though, when the new “It” seriously commits to the chase. This same principle applies to roles on a team, in a family, or in business. Everything changes when you become the one running the plays, married/parenting, or responsible for the bottom line, loss or gain. No longer are outcomes on someone else – you’re “It”. How it goes now is dependent on your response to being the one now. With the God of Creation, you might think He would just move whatever mountains were necessary to fulfill His plans and purposes. While the power and means of fulfilling His will come from Him, He has consistently tagged men to be “It”, the ones He chooses to demonstrate His strength through. For safety from a flood, Noah was “It”; deliverance from Egypt, Moses was “It”; redemption from sin, Jesus was “It”; and building of His church, disciples are “It”. The key qualification of all God’s “Its” is availability to be obedient and faithful. Perfection is not required, just showing up. This time we’re in now was described long ago as the Last Days, when there would be amazing demonstrations of God’s power and an abundant harvest of people coming to know the Lord. This is “It”, and, again, God’s “It” looks like those He has tagged for His glory. Everyone He touches with salvation and breathes new life into is chosen to be His “It”, His means of fulfilling all that He will do. It is no longer just stories of what He has done through others in their time. With hearts that are perfect towards Him, we are His plan. We’re “It”. Our only qualification – availability in obedience and faithfulness. Notes Examples of “It” The game Position Relationship The plan Key to being successful “It” – more than ego Available Obedient Faithful Diligent What does God’s “It” look like? Reason for Creation For Fellowship – “It” looked like a man – Adam Safety through the flood For an Arc – “It” looked like a man – Noah His own people For a seed – “It” looked like a man – Abraham Escape to a Promise For deliverance – “It” looked like a man – Moses/Joshua Reclaim hearts For a defeated giant – “It” looked like a man – David For the sound of worship – “It” looked like a musician – David Redemption of mankind For a sacrifice – “It” looked like a man – Jesus Building of His temple For a church – “It” looked like men – exponentially growing disciples Form a New World For awakened revolutionaries – “It” looked like a man – George Whitfield In God’s saving touch is also a tagging to be “It” In His breath of life is a call to be “It” Godless nations will be filled with glory Habakkuk 2:13-14 (TLB) 13 Has not the Lord decreed that godless nations’ gains will turn to ashes in their hands? They work so hard, but all in vain! 14 (“The time will come when all the earth is filled, as the waters fill the sea, with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.) God’s tagging foretold Joel 2:28-32 (NLT) 28 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. 30 And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives. 32 But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved, … Equipped to be “It” Acts 1:8 (TLB) 8 But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and resurrection.” We become carriers of glory for everyone Colossians 1:27 (TPT) 27 Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it! God is known because of us. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (TPT) 14 God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go. We are God’s shining Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV) 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. We are God’s laborers Matthew 9:37 (TPT) 37 He turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. We are His voice 2 Corinthians 5:20 (TPT) 20 We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading with them directly through our lips. So we tenderly plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Turn back to God and be reconciled to him.” Urgency – “It” opportunity has a time window John 9:4-5 (TLB) 4 All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. 5 But while I am still here in the world, I give it my light.” Challenge: What is God’s heart for the family, community, and church body that I touch? How will His heart be fulfilled? Have I become “It”, the one who is responding to His touch and call to be His touch and breath? Overview: “We’re It” 1. Examples of “It” The Game – Tag: responsibility shifts from chased → chaser Position – Leadership: you run the plays Relationship – Marriage/parenting: you carry influence and outcome The Plan (Business/Life) – Ownership of results: success or failure rests on you Key to Being a Successful “It” (Beyond Ego) Available – Willing to show up Obedient – Responds to direction Faithful – Consistent over time Diligent – Engaged and intentional 2. What Does God’s “It” Look Like? God’s pattern: He accomplishes His will through people Creation (Fellowship) “It” looked like a man: Adam Safety Through the Flood “It” looked like a man: Noah His Chosen People (Seed/Promise) “It” looked like a man: Abraham Deliverance to Promise “It” looked like men: Moses / Joshua Reclaiming Hearts “It” looked like a man: David Victory over giants Establishing worship Redemption of Mankind “It” looked like a man: Jesus Building His Church “It” looked like people: Disciples (multiplying) Awakening a New World “It” looked like a man: George Whitefield Core Truths God’s touch = God’s tag His breath of life = a call to be “It” Prophetic Foundation Habakkuk 2:13–14 The earth will be filled with the knowledge of His glory Joel 2:28–32 God pours out His Spirit on all people Acts 1:8 Power given to be witnesses What We Become as “It” Carriers of Glory Colossians 1:27 Fragrance of God Everywhere 2 Corinthians 2:14 Light to the World Matthew 5:14–16 Laborers in the Harvest Matthew 9:37 Ambassadors / His Voice 2 Corinthians 5:20 Urgency of the Moment John 9:4–5 There is a limited window to work “It” is not permanent—opportunity has a time frame. Challenge Questions What is God’s heart for the people I touch? How will His heart be fulfilled through me? Have I accepted being “It”? Prayer Lord, Thank You for choosing to work through me. Thank You that Your power, Your Spirit, and Your purpose are available to me now. Open my eyes to see the harvest around me. Give me a heart that is willing, hands that are ready, and a life that is yielded. Remove hesitation, fear, and distraction. Make me available, obedient, faithful, and diligent. Let Your glory be revealed through me. Let Your voice be heard through me. Let Your love reach others through me. I say yes to Your call. I accept being “It.” In Jesus’ name, Amen. Faith Declarations I am chosen by God for this time. I am “It”—called to carry His purpose. I am available, obedient, faithful, and diligent. The Holy Spirit empowers me to be a witness. God’s glory is revealed through my life. I carry the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere I go. I am the light of the world—my life shines for His glory. I am a laborer in His harvest. I am an ambassador—God speaks through me. I will not delay—I will respond in this moment. We’re not waiting for someone else. We’re “It.”