Spiritual Thoughts

The power to stay

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After 16 years in fulltime ministry to students, I can still hear my professor-turned-friend-turned-ministry-partner-but-still-friend Dr. Len Kageler say, “Make every effort to stay at your current ministry position longer than you stayed at your previous ministry position.”  Through all the lectures in youth ministry class at Nyack College, and even through all those casual conversations, it was obvious that Len had (and has) a heart for longevity in youth ministry.  And he was more than successful in instilling that same passion within me.

I’ve been more than “fortunate” in the ministry positions I have held to date.  Since my graduation from Nyack College in 1995, I am currently in only my 3rd position.  My first position in Winchester, VA was 2 years and 1 month, start to finish.  Quick, but I packed a lot of learning in.  And heck, 25 months is still a chunk over the national average for length of stay for youth pastors, which is an 18-month stay.  My second ministry position was in Nyack, NY.  I stayed there from July of 1997 to August of 2004.  For all you non-pencil-pushers out there, that’s over 7 years.  Not too shabby.  And at this writing, I am less than a year away from being at my current position longer than I was at my previous position–a dream come true for both me and my beloved Len.

But as I stare down this milestone, I have to look back and take stock in just what makes a youth pastor last at any given position.  Now, I know there are a lot of “yeah, but’s” that youth pastors could spew at me, and some rightfully so.  But I’m not going to get into all the external factors that often bring about the conclusion of a youth pastor’s stay; those things we can’t control.  I’m going to instead focus on the internal factors–the things I/we DO have control over–that help me stay where I am longer than where I’ve been.

First, I’ve gotten over the fact that I’m never going to do it all. When I started in youth ministry I had the proverbial cape on my back and chip on my shoulder, thinking that I was God’s answer to youth ministry as it had been.  I hit the scene kickin’ down doors and eradicating every existing notion that “Chubby Bunny” was ever a good idea.  However, my first ministry position taught me that I’m not impervious to being damaged in ministry.  So the principle here would be to “get over yourself” as quickly as possible.  Know who you are and be that person.  After all, we only need one Jesus.

Secondly, I’d say that striving for excellence in every area is a non-stop journey.  As I’m sitting here typing I can think of how things I’m currently doing in ministry could be done differently or even–gasp–better than they’re being done.  I truly desire everything I do in ministry to be dripping with excellence.  I fall woefully short of that mark many times, but the desire is still there and that desire drives me every day I hold this position.

Next, I would fly the flag of rest.  There will be some weeks that seem endless due to the overwhelming needs that surround you as a youth pastor.  But if I don’t keep an eye on my disciple of rest, I’m not going to last very long at all; not at this church or at any church.  Leading from a rested spirit is essential to long-term effectiveness in student ministry. There have been many times that I’ve counseled fellow youth leaders with this advice: “Ministry is a lot like working on an assembly line. There will never be an end to the work coming your way.  You have to have the guts to simply step away from the line for a while.”  Inevitably, I get the response, “But what about what doesn’t get done?!?”  And I say “Yep.”  If we base our schedule on what needs to get done in ministry, nothing will…at least not for long. Rest is vital in youth ministry.  Unapologetically disconnect from your office, from your task list, from your students, and from your expectations.  Any senior pastor who tells you differently should be a senior pastor you leave in your rearview mirror.

The next principle is to cultivate the ability to be flexible. A couple years into my ministry here at my current church, I boldly told the Executive Pastor, “I could be the last youth pastor you hire.”  I wasn’t trying to be cocky, and I definitely wasn’t trying to be God.  It’s just that I made a conscious decision early in ministry that I would be willing to do what the ministry called for.  Anything less is a “Yes, but…” to God.  I’m committed to skill development, character growth, continual education, and any maturing that needs to take place in me so that I can be the youth pastor this church needs. There may come a day when–despite my greatest attempts–it becomes clear that God is done with me here, but until that day comes you better believe that I’m committed to doing what the ministry here calls for.

(I should have mentioned that this list would be in random order, as evidenced by the next thing I’d like to share.  It would definitely have been placed near the top of the list!)

One of the most critical principles I can give to my fellow married youth pastors is to constantly date your spouse. Flirt, woo, romance the pants off the helpmate God has blessed you with.  Not only is that some of the most fun you can have as a human being, but it will safeguard your marriage and ministry in ways you’ll never fully know.  As much as you can help it, never let your spouse feel like they’re in competition with your ministry.  There are obviously times when you must be away at conferences, on mission trips, for speaking engagements, etc. but those times are more than bearable when you have a spouse who already knows that all you want to do is get back home to be with them.  In my own ministry, I’ve had more students and other adults make comments on my marriage than on any message I’ve delivered or event I led.  Everyone who cares to look knows that I am 1000% head-over-heels crazy about my wife.  No joke, I’m one of the happiest married men you know. There’s simply no way around this truth: The investment of your marriage will spill over positively into your ministry and the people you’re called to lead.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s the other way around.

This next one is one that I’m just now coming to grips with.  I’ll put it this way: “Look for the blessings more than the bookings.” For many of the years I’ve been in ministry, I’ve had a bit of an ache in the back of my mind.  It’s something I don’t readily share with many people (yes, I know this is a blog on the internet).  It’s the idea that the farther into ministry I go, and the more “successful” I become at it, the more invitations I should receive; invitations to come and speak, to write, to share advice, to take a stage, to be more “known.”  And while there is more to divulge than that, I’ll suffice it to say that God has shown me that He is much more interested in His fame than He is in mine. Years ago I gave a gift to my Mom.  It was a potted plant that said on it, “Bloom where you’re planted.”  I have to admit that I’ve been guilty at times of thinking grass was greener somewhere else.  Well, it’s often the case that the grass is greener because of all the “fertilizer” over there!  Be thankful for where you are, welcome opportunities for God to expand your influence, but be so careful about prying doors of notoriety open.

Next, you need to remember that nothing will do for you what humility will. Now, humility is like a wet, slippery bar of soap.  Once you say you have it, you don’t.  Humility isn’t something you put on a resume.  It isn’t something you decide for yourself, and it isn’t something that comes naturally to most people.  But if you want to stick around longer than the church van, you’d be wise to seek a heart of humility.  It’s been said that “humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, its thinking of yourself less.”  Humility will be the stabilizer that keeps you from bitterness, from resentment, from defensiveness toward criticism, and from many other ills the enemy wants for your ministry.  Humility begins with a deep heart recognition that God is God, God is the potter, and you are the clay.  It’s not cliche’, its Scripture (Is. 64:8).

Finally, and really the greatest piece of advice for youth leaders who want to stick around is this: Don’t teach theory. Lead from who you are, where you are, and from an authentic spirit.  Get in, be in, and stay in love with Jesus your Savior.  Don’t let anything come between you and Him.  Let people see that you’re not leading/teaching/preaching from a textbook or from some idea book; let them see you walking hand-in-hand with Jesus Christ, the love of your life.  From that relationship will flow every resource and supply you’ll ever need, no matter where you find yourself in ministry.

Whether you’ve been in youth ministry for half a century or half a day, I pray that these few tidbits might spark a desire within you to, God-willing, send down your roots right where you’re at and stay put for a long, fruitful ministry.

Writhing About Tithing

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It started with a comment my wife shared with me, told to her by a mutual friend of ours; a comment that went something like this: “Jesus never taught tithing.”

Cue footage of atomic bomb exploding in my head. 

Let me first say before I proceed, that I’m “old-school” when it comes to much of my theology and doctrine.  And when I say “old school” I actually mean “biblical”.  I believe (and have for most of my life) that if you’re a Christian then certain things should be true of you: you should be a committed part of a local body of believers, faithfully attending worship services (Heb. 10:25), and involved in the ministry (Gal. 5:13).  You should love those around you freely, just like God loves you (Matt. 10:8).  You should be actively involved in evangelism; that is, sharing the Good News of Christ when given opportunity by the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:15).  And you should tithe–giving 10% of your income to your local church.  I do this personally and have for years.  Right off the “top” of any and all income I receive, 10% goes to the Lord as an acknowledgement of His provision and grace in my life.  Not only that, but I have challenged other Christians to do the same.  Not out of compulsion, guilt, or anything but gratitude.  I’ve stood in front of large crowds, sharing my conviction that God desires us to be “cheerful givers” and that our tithe (literally meaning “tenth”) is something He desires–even expects.

Pretty simple, right?

I’ve begun to dive into a study on what the New Testament (including Jesus & the Pauline epistles) say about tithing, which was primarily an “old covenant/Law of Moses” instruction.  And the more I read, the more convinced I become that tithing is more than a good idea, its a practice taught by Scripture.

First, let me share some of the verses that address the issue of tithing:

“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” –Lev. 27:30

This verse in Leviticus is a great “nutshell” of the other nearly 30 verses in the Old Testament that have to do with tithes.  Another OT verse that is often used to support tithing is Malachi 8-10, especially verse 10:

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

I’ve heard this verse used countless times to teach the concept of tithing, and the jist of the teaching goes like this: “If you tithe on your income, God will bless you.  If you don’t, He won’t.”

But here’s the rub: Malachi was speaking about food, not money.  WARNING: Don’t stop reading here and think I’m going to conclude that Christians today are under no obligation to give money to their church.  From my experience, many Christians have done just that, paying exorbitant mortgages and ridiculous car payments while their local church literally falls apart.

Now, to look at the New Testament and what Jesus and Paul specifically instruct about tithing.  First of all, its true that Jesus does NOT articulately teach “You must tithe on your income.”  You might be breathing a sigh of relief right now, but let me instead suggest that you hold your breath.

The most prominent passage where we see Jesus referring to giving money is found in what has become known as “The Widow’s Mite”.  Take a look at these verses in Mark chapter 12:41-44:

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

In this instance, Jesus seems to bypass the entire “tithe” principle and go straight for the jugular by showing that the woman who gave only a few cents gave much more than those who gave large amounts of money.  We see here another example of the backwards, upside-down Kingdom and economy of God.  An economy where less really is more.  The reason why Jesus praises the giving of the widow and not the wealthy was because the widow was giving “all she had to live on” while the others simply gave from their “surplus”.  So, while we might have an argument that Jesus doesn’t teach that we should give 10%, we should quickly realize that Jesus teaches the amount we give should be from an attitude of willingness to release all we have.  Jesus seems to downplay the actual dollar amount and rather focuses on the attitude with which the widow gave.

And now, let’s see what Paul says about the issue of giving.  First of all, there was a call to give regularly (1 Cor. 16:1-2).  The practice of giving was ongoingly needed, so it was likewise ongoingly encouraged.  The monetary gifts Paul was referring to here was to benefit those who were destitute in the famine-stricken Jerusalem.  No matter the destination, the practice of giving to those in need was regularly upheld by Paul.

Next, the giving should come from an act of free will by the individual–not necessarily mandated or prescribed as to the amount.  The Old Testament teaching of the tithe is replaced in the New Testament early church by the giving of money as an act of grace, generosity, and loving care for others.

Also, it should be pointed out that the giving of money is necessary to support those called to ministry; the pastors and leaders of the church.  While I’m not trying to be self-serving (since as a pastor I definitely fall into this category), I do feel that the Bible is clear that regular, faithful, cheerful, and generous giving by Christians today is a practice upheld by Scripture; for the benefit of ministers and those in need in our community alike.

So, does Jesus teach tithing?  Most certainly He taught tithing to those who were under the Law, just as He was (Matt. 23:23).  But as for those who are under grace (Christians at and since the cross), we are “obligated” to give out of the overflowing abundance of grace that God has shown us on that cross.  The question, “What shall I do for God?” can always correctly be addressed by asking “What has God done for me?”  It is THIS principle, and not that of a dollar amount or percentage that ought to drive our giving today.

So, how and why do I personally still practice the tithe today?  Why am I not living out my freedom to give 8% or 25% or 0%?  It’s because I believe that the tithe is a fantastic guide for giving.  It creates for me a discipline of giving and in that giving a mindfulness that none of what I could call mine is what I should call mine.  All I have has come from God, belongs to God, and will ultimately return to God.  And it is with that mindset that I give cheerfully.

I doubt it.

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Doubt is a crazy thing isnt’ it? Sometimes doubt comes directly from past experience. Like when I ask my youngest daughter, “Did you clean your room?” “Yes” she replies. I continue, “Did you clean it well?” She says, “Yes, I did.” I doubt it. Experience has taught me that she is not the tidy type who enjoys the simple joys of life, like having all her dresser drawers pushed all the way in.

Doubt can also be a result of a collision between fact and feeling. When something happens that we didn’t see coming or didn’t think should happen, we have a sense of doubt. Take Thomas as an example. He knew Jesus was dead. When he was told otherwise–voila–say hello to “Doubting Thomas”.

But doubt by definition is hinged on our feelings, isn’t it?  Isn’t doubt our trump card for faith, hope, and belief?  Doubt is our reasonable response (or so we think) to adversities of life.  We think its reasonable because we use our emotions and sensations as our compass; as the thing that dictates to us what is true, what is real, and what isn’t.  And in those moments, doubt becomes the very poison Jesus warns us of.

You think the word “poison” is too strong?  Check out what James said in the first chapter of his book:

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” –James 1:6-8

Wow, did James just say that those who doubt shouldn’t expect to receive ANYTHING from the Lord?  Sheesh, if that’s not poison then I’m not sure what is! So, how do we stop ourselves from doubting?  Well, I’m not wise man on a hill, but I do have a few thoughts.

First, understand where doubt comes from. We can trace the origin of doubt back to the Garden of Eden when the serpent introduced it to Eve in the form of a question that started, “Did God really say….?”  Eve, meet doubt. Doubt, Eve.

Now, believe me when I say that I’m absolutely not a “the devil the made me do it” kind of Christian.  But I do believe that we should rightfully acknowledge the adversary of our souls.  Satan wants nothing more than to drive as big a wedge between you and God as he can; and he’ll often use the wedge of doubt to start the process of your demise.  So, knowing where doubt comes from can give us a sobering reminder of what (and who) is behind it.

Next, we need to be realistic about what doubt does. Doubt weakens our view of God’s ability.  Doubt takes a subjective viewpoint (ours) and imposes it on an objective reality (God’s power).  We often allow what we see to dictate to us what is.  This is also referred to as notion that “perception = reality”.  My sister-in-law Markelle has battled with cancer for 5 years now.  And for 5 years we have prayed daily for her healing.  Every day, all of us.  Not just us, but people across the country and in other parts of the world.  5 years. Everyday.  And what does God do?  Nothing.  Now, we could say, “God isn’t really there, isn’t really listening, and doesn’t really care.” because that’s our perception; that is our angle on the information.  But we all know (Markelle included) that her current reality does not decide the goodness of God.  In truth, God is good no matter what.  He can heal her this instant and He is good.  He can take her home right this moment and He is good.  He can leave her to continue to walk with Him on the journey of chemotherapy and other medications for years to come and He is good.  But doubt tells us that God’s goodness is in flux.  It ebbs and flows based on how things are going for us.

Lastly, doubt keeps us from fullness in our lives. Jesus scolded the disciples who didn’t seem to have the ability to do what Jesus did.  Jesus only explanation for that was the presence of doubt.  When Thomas came to Jesus after He had risen from the dead Jesus said to him, “Stop doubting and believe.”

Dealing with doubt is not an easy thing to do, especially when every message around you screams that you are justified in your disbelief and doubt.  But consider the possibility that God is calling you to trust Him.  Trust Him with your job, your education, your house, your family, and your life.  It’s a huge faith step, but as far as I can tell, God is batting a thousand on rewarding such faith.

A Bad Gratitude?

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Okay, go ahead and file this one under “iffy”.  I’m typing this without a clear sense of “conviction” per se; but rather a “what if it’s possible” or “let’s think about this” type of feeling.  In other words, I’m not sure I’d be willing to die on the hill of the words I’m conveying.  At least not yet.  That might sound weak or indecisive to you, but if you’ve read this far you might be willing to go a bit farther into what’s coming in the next few paragraphs.

We’re in the 2nd week of November, and that means that the smells of stuffing, gravy, and turkey are beginning to waft through the neurons and synapses of my brain.  I love Thanksgiving.  It’s such a magnificent holiday that I think doesn’t get its due shake.  It’s often sandwiched between the hub-bub of Halloween and the hustle-bustle of Christmas.  Some view it as nothing more than the starter’s pistol of the holiday shopping season.  And by the looks of the crazy glazed-over eyes of those in line at 2 am outside Target (I know because I’ve been there), we’re not too far off.

So, with Thanksgiving comes the idea of giving thanks.  But is there a wrong kind of thankfulness?  I believe there is, and I want to cite an instance Jesus talked about.  But before I do that, I want to share an insight I’ve picked up from the wide range of “mission” trips I’ve been on (and I’m leaving for another one in just a few days).

I’m a youth pastor.  I spend a huge chunk of my everyday existence thinking about, communicating with, counseling, praying for, and loving teenagers and my stellar team of adult leaders.  And at least a couple times a year I take teens on a trip, often out of the country.  When we go to another culture, its usually one that is impoverished, a place where we can do something helpful–feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing shelter for the exposed and homeless, and lots of other activities that hopefully leave a place better off than when we arrived.  And to me, a “mission” trip is only as successful as the difference it makes not just “over there” in that distant land, but “right here” in my heart.  A difference that is reflected in my priorities, my passions, and sense of purpose in life long after the trip is over.  If there isn’t a change in me, then I feel I’ve missed a big part of the point of the trip.  Of course, we still did good things over there, but does it make any difference after the luggage is unpacked, the jet lag is subsided, and the routine is restored?

More often than not,  when I ask students what difference the trip has made in their lives, I get a recurring response.  A response that goes a little something like this:  “What did I get from going on this trip?  Well, for sure I’m going to be more thankful for the nice stuff I have (that these people don’t have).   I’m going to be thankful for the food in the fridge, and the clothes in the closet, and the bed I don’t have to share with my family.”

Now, I’d be nuts to say that hearing an American teenager say such things isn’t a wonderfully remarkable thing.  It is.  But what I’m getting at is the idea that a thankfulness that is thankful for me being better off than you isn’t quite the thankfulness that the Bible teaches.  It’s a starting point to be sure, and I truly don’t believe that the students who have it are wrong, or bad, or anything close to that.

Let’s take a look at Luke 18, verses 10 & 11:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.'”

Now, clearly in verse 11 we see a “bad gratitude” exhibited by the Pharisee.  It’s a thankfulness that’s only present because there’s someone worse off than him.  It’s a thankfulness that does nothing more than acknowledging that we’re not as bad off as others.  So, how do we foster a genuine thankfulness?  Let’s look at the tax collector’s prayer in verse 13:

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”

First of all, thankfulness MUST be unhinged from any/every other contingent and external reality.  Thankfulness ought to be independent of anyone we know or anything we have.  Thankfulness is first between God and me.  That is the start of a right heart of gratitude.  Certainly we can and should be thankful for what we have and the people in our lives.  But when we attach our thankfulness to things and people, where are we left when those things and people are not around, or even gone from our lives?  The tax collector in verse 13 made no comparison to those around him as the Pharisee did.  His focus was on his own depravity, and the merciful grace of God who accepted him, justified him, and loved him right where he was.  His humility was such that it would not allow him to even lift his head heavenward.  And I’d dare say that between the lines of that verse, we see a piercing gratitude–a gratitude that stands alone, separate from anything God has done–focused only on who God is.

A simple question to gauge our gratitude would be:  If I lost every possession and every person I hold dear, what would happen to my view of God, His goodness, and His presence? Don’t think I think that’s an easy question to ask or answer.  I certainly know that it’s not.  But I think that a gratitude that is detached from what I possess demands such a hard-hitting introspection.

As we approach this Thanksgiving season, may we be a people who most definitely hold dear and are grateful for all the good things and relationships that we enjoy.  But may we also find within ourselves the willingness and courage to stand in gratitude to God even when those other things aren’t there.

As always, I welcome your thoughts or comments on this issue.  How do you approach Thanksgiving?  What do you most commonly thank God for?  Is it possible to separate thankfulness from what we’re thankful for (that question even sounds crazy)? Have I completely lost it?

Thanks for reading.

Apparently, its what’s on the outside that counts

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I was driving along the other day and heard a piece of information that I found interesting. Statistically speaking, the name of a professional sports stadium has a lot to do with the amount of winning and losing the team does. For example, stadiums named for the car companys that sponsor them see more home team wins while stadiums named for technology companies don’t do well at all. Which stadium is at the bottom of the statistics barrel? Monster Park, home of the San Francisco 49ers. What’s worse, Monster Park used to be Candlestick Park, a stadium rich with history and tradition.  While corporate sponsorship is simply the name of the game in today’s professional sports business, the findings of this peculiar research reminds me of something completely different, and yet slightly related.
You may have heard the old adage: “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.” But I’d like to poke at and possibly even challenge that notion when it comes to our identity as followers of Christ. Take a look at the way God worked through the Old Testament and you’ll notice something I noticed. God seemed to start His work in someone’s life from the outside in, not the inside out as you might suppose. Consider Abram and Sarai, Jacob, and Jonah to name just a few. The name on the outside gave way to victory on the inside, so to speak. It was an “external” change of name marking an “internal” change in character, purpose, and destiny.
And not only those, but think about those in the New Testament who’s identity was changed from the outside in; Matthew, Simon, & who could forget the greatest Christian-hater turned greatest Christ-follower Saul of Tarsus?  God most certainly does some renovations outside as well as in.
People know me by name. But my desire is that they’d hear that name and thoughts of graciousness, generosity, passion, and fiery zeal for Christ would come to their minds. I pray that they equate my name with humility, with servanthood, and above all with Christlikeness.
Read the book of Revelation and you’ll see one final name change recorded in Scripture.  We’re told that Jesus will come from heaven with a name written on Him that only He knows.  (Does your theology have room for the possibility that you’ll one day know God by a different name that you don’t know now?)  Whatever it is, we can rest assured in what God’s Word says: “He has been given the name above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and ever tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!”
What is God going to do with YOUR name today?

Own the season

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I’ve been following Jesus long enough to know that this journey comes with its ups ‘n’ downs, its losts ‘n’ founds, its silences ‘n’ sounds.  I have run the gammut of sensing that Jesus is using my life like a hand uses a glove, to being in places where He seems nowhere to be found.

But in a strange way, what comforts me most is that both of those places are real.  Those “mountaintops” are just as real in my life as those “valleys”.  This tells me that no matter where I am on the continuum, it all remains authentic.  If the highs validated my faith and the lows made it seem non-existent, then I’d be in a more dire position than I am.

As it is, I know the truth is still truth no matter where I happen to be in relation to it.  As an illustration (albeit a flimsy one), the Eiffel Tower stands in Paris, France.  I can be standing on its highest observation deck taking in the sights of the city or I can be on the other side of the world, having only seen it in pictures and movies.  Either way, the Eiffel Tower stands in Paris, France.

If you’ve ever felt less than as close as you can possibly be to God at one time or another, I trust this reminder will give you some encouragement. God and His Truth transcend your emotional state and your circumstances. Whether you find yourself feeling closer than ever or farther than ever from God, He remains with you, in you, and blessing others through you.

Yank. Yank. Yank.

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After returning from a week and a half vacation on the Gulf of Mexico (the non-oily part), our yard needed some TLC.  So the Hotness and I teamed up.  She grabbed the mower and I grabbed the gas powered weed whacker/trimmer.  She started the mower up and went merrily on her way.  I grabbed the weed whacker, flipped the switch to “cold start”, pushed the rubber bubble to prime the engine, and yanked the cord.  And yanked.  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.  (“Man, it’s hot out here.”)  Yank.  Yank.  Yank. Yank.  (“Arrggghhhh.”)  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.

What in the world?  I’ve had a slight problem starting up my trimmer in the past, but never like this.  This was absurb.  I thought, “Okay, I’ll take a break and get some plyers for when I need to change the line on the trimmer later. That’ll give the engine a chance to reconsider its obstinance.”  So, I went inside, got the plyers, came back outside, stared down that trimmer, and tried again.  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.  (“Man, is this getting frustrating.”)  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.  (“My arm hurts.”)  Yank.  Yank.  Yank.

Okay, this was getting ridiculous.  Now, I’m getting ticked.  Why wouldn’t this thing work?  My wife is already halfway done the front yard, and I’m still standing here looking at a trimmer that won’t–for the love of everything good and decent–start up and work!  I figured I’d take a break again.  I don’t recall what I did for those few minutes, but it should have included praying.  It didn’t.

So after a few minutes, I came back out to the hell-spawned machine, stared it down trying to intimidate it into submission, picked it up and again yanked, yanked, yanked, yanked, yanked on the start cord.  (“Trimmer, you are like 30 seconds away from being a permanent part of that tree trunk over there. So, if you value your place in my life and in my shed, I’d suggest that you do something besides sputter!”)  Yank.Yank.Yank.Yank.Yank.Yank.Yank.Yank.Yank.

I set it down on the ground, sweat pouring from my forehead, my t-shirt dripping.  And I hadn’t even actually done anything yet.

And that’s when it happened.  I looked down at that trimmer and noticed a silver switch with two words on either side of it:  “OFF” and “ON”.

Guess what I had forgotten to flip?  Yep, the kill switch.  I could’ve yanked that start cord for the next 4 years and it never would have started as long as the “ON” switch was “OFF”.

Truth is all around us, friends.  And if you think for a second that I didn’t make an IMMEDIATE connection of that switch to a powerful life principle, you don’t know me too well.

How often in our own efforts to do roll up our sleeves, go at something over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over, only to end up in the exact same place we started?  How often do we decide that our strength is enough, or that is has to be?  How often do we overlook the obvious truth in front of us: that the God who made us has every bit of power and offers us his power in its fullest measure; more than we need to handle the situations we face, whether they are slightly annoying or catastrophic. 

Where in your life have you been yanking and yanking and yanking on that cord, trying to make a go of it in your own strength?  Where in your life are you ignoring the “more than enough” power of God to lift you, guide you, help you, and empower you to overcome that situation?  Would you be willing right now to reach down in your heart and mind and flip that switch?  Allow the all-sufficient, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God to give you every bit of every resource you need as you live with Him today.