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19 July 2007

You Can’t Handle the Truth! Part 2

So, I faced the fact that I wasn’t going to be the next Englebird Humperdink (sp?).

And I came to grips with the reality that I wasn’t likely to be the next Franz Klammer either (look him up if you’re under 30!).

Are those things wrong?

Hardly.

They just weren’t for me.

Not what God’s ultimate plan was. Believe me, I tried. I even argued with God that I ought to plant a church in Vail Colorado!

Alas, it was not to be.

But until I knew that, I stayed on the wrong path.

Maybe even wasted some valuable kingdom time.

Why?

At the time I just couldn’t handle the truth.

The singing and playing guitar never amounted to much.

The skiing did for a while. I really thought that would go places. Then, came 2 broken arms and a blown knee all within 4 months. The writing was on the wall. God had something else in mind.

But sometimes, our tenacity in forcing our own dreams against God’s clear call can waste unbelievable amounts of time.

Ask God to show you if you are living your dream or His. The cool thing is, once you answer that question, you might just see the two merge into one!

Pastoring Southbrook Church is a dream come true for me.

And it’s God’s vision for my life as well.

But you have to face reality to see that.

Are you?

Facing reality?

Handling the truth?

You can’t pull on Superman’s cape.

You can’t spit into the win.

Plankton will NEVER get a Krabby Patty!

Muslims don’t want freedom of religion.

There’s only one God.

He exists in three distinct persons.

There is One Son, Jesus Christ.

One Way to heaven.

One Truth.

Can you handle that?

Share and Enjoy:

4 Comments currently posted.

JT says:

Sharing your past like that drills home that God will do whatever he wants. If He wants to get our attention he will ‘break a couple of arms and blow out a knee’ to get it. We all need to understand that God is in the details. EVERYTHING happens because he allows it. The sooner we realize this the CLOSER our relationship grows with him.

Some out ther are wondering what their path is, what does God want me to do with my life? Correct me if I’m wrong, but if we love God with everything we have and we are growing closer to Him each day and we are loving our neighbors like we do ourselves our thoughts will be his thoughts and our wants will be his wants for our lives. Am I wrong? It’s worked for me. Everytime I get to a ‘bump in the road’ I try to solve it myself. As soon as I take the focus off of ME and put it where it belongs, the picture becomes clear.

So you ask, ‘Can I handle the truth?’ Honestly, not at first…but once my thick head realizes that it’s not about me then the truth sets me free.

Kate says:

So, I am actually pretty blessed to have a clear calling on my life already. God gave it to me when I was much younger, and young enough to not have too many of my own wants to muck up the purpose of my life. However, as I grew, so did my selfishness, and that mucked up the purpose a little bit. But God cleared that up for me (aka showing me- as JT said- that it’s all about him anyway), and I gained back a clear dream and vision God has for my life. (details are still forming as I grow closer to him and learn to listen better!)

But the toughy for me is the everyday stuff. the every week stuff. life, “what do i do this week about the dream and vision? does it need to be done this week? I’m sure there’s time…” even with the very real knowledge of how short earthly life can be, I still put things off until tomorrow. so, yes, I can handle the truth, I really am set free by it- but am I handling it correctly? (please tell me that’s part 3!)

Richard Belk says:

I’m glad that you listened to GOD’s calling in your life because you are just what this county needs, someone to tell the truth. My wife and I are proud of the fact that we can support Southbrook Church…..Richard and Kathy Belk

JT says:

I just had to share that this weekend God got my attention…bending over to pick a hat up off the floor and WHAM! Sciatic nerve pinches and suddenly my whole body is numb on the right side. The very first thought that went through my head is, “Why are you letting this happen to me today, SATURDAY?” “Don’t you know that I have a lawn to mow and cars to wash and fun things planned with my family?”

All morning I was asking the question why? Finally, my wife says to me that maybe God just wants me to slow down a bit this weekend. Maybe God is trying to talk to you about something and you’ve been too busy to listen? She was right and I knew it. God had been trying to tell me some stuff, and I hadn’t been paying attention.

It’s Tuesday and it still hurts, still not sleeping well at night. It’s getting better and eventually will be back to normal. But in the meantime, every laugh, cough, sneeze, step, deep breath or quick move comes with some discomfort or severe pain. To sit and then stand, HURTS! Things that I take for granted, now hurt.

Is this how God feels when I take him for granted? Because that is what he’s been talking to me about. Devotions? Yes. Getting anything out of them? A little. Blessings to my family? Yes. Thanking him for the blessings? Not like I should. Praying every day? Lunch and dinner and a ‘quickie’ while on the way to work. Listening for God? When I’m worried.

God wants…let me say that differently…God DESERVES ALL of our attention! I’m not talking about the great blessings or heavy trials, I’m talking the everyday life that he gives us.

What started out as a big pain in the butt (literally) has slowed me down so I take time to listen to God. It has helped me to understand what it might feel like for him when I take him for granted. I’m sorry God, forgive me.