Stay Stubborn and Stay Down

Don't get judgy, but I left an old man to lie on the ground. 

In fact, for roughly 30 minutes he remained on the ground outside of our local Chick-Fil-A while customers walked past him. We didn't choose to leave him on the ground. He chose it by his own stubbornness.

Chuck is a elderly regular who fell as he exited the restaurant. Several concerned customers offered him assistance, which he angrily rejected. "I'm a Marine!" he shouted. "I don't need anyone's help!" The sad truth was not only did he need help, but he was the only one who didn't realize it. 

We aren't always good at admitting our helplessness. During a particularly lean period in seminary, the teachers of our young marrieds Sunday School class brought over groceries. Our teacher, Larry, pulled me aside and asked why I seemed bothered by the gift. I told him I was embarrassed to need such help.

"Have you asked God to provide for your family?" Larry asked. I responded that it was my most constant prayer. Larry looked me in the eye and gently said, "What do you think this is?"

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

The truth is, we're all lying on the ground. Some of our predicaments are more visible than others, but each of us needs to admit we could use a little help. And not only will we find ourselves blessed, but we find our chance be a blessing to others. Don't think that Larry's gift and words haven't motivated me to look for my own opportunities to be the answer to someone's prayer.

Salvation is the most humbling act for humanity. It's the great admission that we aren't enough and we cannot save ourselves. When we stay stubborn, we stay down and the cross is God's proof that He hasn't demanded of us to do anything alone. And it could be that as you admit your need, you encourage others to drop their stubbornness and find the help they need to get up!

The Unelected Unimpeachable King

This morning I was praying for our nation on the eve of election day. As part of my prayer life, I often pray through a daily Psalm, and the Lord placed me in Psalm 67 today:

"Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth." Psalm 67:4

I prayed for Mr. Trump.
I prayed for Mrs. Clinton.
I prayed for Mr. McMullin.
And I prayed for the people that are going to be devastated after the results are finalized. 

Democracy is great when you win, and it's the pits when you lose. But as Winston Churchill once said

Here's the long and short of it for me; I will be a responsible citizen and cast my vote. I will be a responsible Christ-follower, and follow my biblical convictions in doing so.

And I will not hang my hopes on anyone other than Jesus. 

You see, Presidents come and go. But the King of Kings is here to stay! He offers promises that are never broken, and leadership that will never be matched. He's never up for re-election, and never in need of removal.

So let us as Christians be responsible citizens. Exercise your right to vote! Pray for our nation! But don't allow the political process of one nation out of the 195 in the world, to steal your joy. Remember that whether your candidate wins or loses, thanks to Jesus, you still win!

A Great Terrible Sermon

A strikeout can be just what a team needs.

During an April contest between the Marlins and Giants, the Marlins were at bat with a runner on third. The Marlins hitter swung and struck out, but the catcher dropped the ball. But rule, the batter can still attempt to make it to first base before the catcher throws him out. The Giants catcher quickly fired to first for the out.

And Dee Gordon was just waiting for that moment. During the confusion at the plate, he made a dash for home. The first baseman quickly returned the ball to the catcher, but it was too late. Dee Gordon had turned a strikeout into a run.

And this pretty much describes what happened to me on Sunday.

I felt so weak before preaching Sunday, mainly as I was still trying to kick some sickness. I had prayed and prepared for the message, but felt drained in every way as I stepped on the platform. The message didn't lack for truth or preparation, but as I wrapped up, I felt I hadn't brought enough to it. And since then, many people have reached out to share how the message challenged or encouraged them.

I'm not saying that more people need to compliment my sermons. I'm saying I need to change my perspective.

I've had "homerun" sermons that I was just sure were going to be barn burners and lead many to decisions. But at other times, "strikeout" sermons have more deeply impacted people and led them to Christ. I'm not saying preparation should be ignored. I'm saying I shouldn't presume upon which situations God can effectively work.

God reminds us that when we're weak is when we're truly strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). My need is to recognize that my inabilities do not limit God's abilities. Where do you feel weak? Where do you feel like you're just striking out? Maybe it's time to ask ask God to work, not when we feel weak, but because we are always weak.