Skip to main content

Fight for Me

We went camping a week ago with friends. July in Florida, it's hot and humid.  Thankfully our pop up camper has an air conditioning unit.  It's amazing how well it cools our tent on wheels. When we arrived at the campsite and got set up, we learned that our air conditioning unit decided to take the weekend off.  

I had worked all day loading and preparing for the trip. I was already hot and tired by the time we got to the site. Learning that we wouldn't have AC sent me off the edge.  What ensued was a temper tantrum that any two-year old would be envious.  I was not a good representation of the traits of an elder at that moment. 

What ensued was an outpouring of grace and love from my friends and family. They may not have realized it, but in that moment they were the face of Jesus to one very tired and angry man. 

The rest of the weekend we camped without AC and had a blast.  Sunday our check out day, my phone decided to take the day off.  At first I felt the same anger creeping in, but then I saw the faces of those that showed me so much grace and love.  I realized there must be a lesson in this.  

We get so wrapped up in our stuff that we miss the lessons sometimes.  I think God was telling me to "be there" in the moment.  The AC, the phone, the stuff are just distractions from being in the space He wants us to be in. James 4:8 tells us to "draw near to God".  That is get the other stuff out of the way and "be there" in the moment with God.  It says that when we draw near to Him, He will do the same to us. 

The anger and frustration I experienced were tools of the enemy to draw me further from God. The love and grace of my family and friends were no doubt God's counter action to fight for me.  Draw near to God and be there.  He will fight for you, even when you are exhausted and most vulnerable.  Sometimes when you can't fight, He sends His children to fight and stand up for you. 

Be blessed abd be a blessing,

Matt


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do the Work

Sometimes I sit down to write and it just seems like I am trying to write with a pen without ink. There is simply nothing productive coming from the activity. Other times, God just pours it out on me. The ideas flow and the message comes together with ease. More often than not it's the former rather than the latter. It seems God likes to make us work for it. The ones I have to work a bit harder on become the ones I like the most. I think we appreciate the things we have to work for more than the things that come easy. Our LifeGroup recently read about the Miraculous Catch of Fish. You know the story where Peter and his buddies have been out fishing all night and came back to shore completely empty handed. That next morning, Jesus asks them to take him out in the boat. Once out on the water, He has them put the nets back down and they bring in loads and loads of fish. So many fish that two boats almost sank.  I guess Jesus could have just made the fish jump into th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Welcome Children

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:1‭-‬5 NIV This past Sunday was simply life-giving at Westside Christian Church. The energy and excitement were palatable. My daughter couldn't wait to get to church. She was excited to worship with her friends and have fun together afterwards.   With the VBS takeover, the church was packed! Sure there were a few seats open, but there was a line of people standing in the back. It is safe to say it was "standing room only". Fitting with the story of Zacchaeus that Pastor Russ shared.   Jes...
Post a Comment
Read more