Skip to main content

On Base

There are many lessons that our children can teach us, if we would be so bold as to push aside our maturing pride and reflect in the way they marvel over things we so often overlook. We look at the child who steps out into the road not looking both ways as fool-hardy and ignorant, but we must also concede that this child is exercising trust without cynicism. This child steadfastly believes that he will step out into the street and walk across to his destination with no concern as to what might happen along the way. Such trust is something that, with age, will most certainly become jaded. Indeed, to have faith without arguing over the particulars is a beautiful thing. We, as adults, can worry, work, or even reason ourselves to death.

Of course, I have never shied away at revealing that I am often too cynical. Pessimism is certainly in my playbook. I dare say that my attitude has gotten worse, since I moved to a state that charges a ludicrous amount of school tax with the real estate tax and punishes people with an unnecessary citation, when they lose control of their vehicle and get into an accident, because of icy road conditions. As if one could magically make their car stop on a dime or coast to a safe spot by simply saying, “shazam!” Yes, I am cynical.



Today, however, my eldest challenged me. By one simple statement, God used him to convict me and peel away layers of my antagonistic attitude. My kids were outside earlier today, playing tag with the neighbor's kids. For a time, I watched them run around the yard somehow managing to laugh and scream at the same time. When I went inside for a glass of water, I heard Ethan yelling. At first, I thought he was yelling at other kids, but then I looked outside and saw him by himself shouting. Now, I also have been known to yell at myself a time or two, but for curiosity's sake, I went outside and asked him what he was saying. “Oh, hey dad.” He looked down. I asked him again. “Dad, I just learned a lesson while playing tag. I was yelling it to myself. You see, God is base and sin is trying to tag us and freeze us.” Immediately, I recalled Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

My dear seven year old son spoke volumes to my heart. When you are at base, you are immune from being tagged, you are secure. No matter what else is going on around you, sweet peace awaits for you on base. The Psalmist declares, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (91:1-2). Oh God, thank You for Your endless love and the peace that surpasses man’s knowledge. Thank You for Your sovereign protection! Remind me that oftentimes my cynicism of everyday circumstances, shows my distrust in Your ways. Help me to rejoice in the midst of taxes, citations, heartaches, and financial pressures, because You are “... the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!” (Psalms 73:26b) Be my shield. Be my provider. Be my base.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Complacent Christianity

We have our spiritual programs, concerts, and conferences We have mounted our doctrines, promoted our denominations, and pushed our preferences We have booked calendars, busy lives, and countless bibles We have bumper stickers about faith, T-Shirts with scripture, and a mass marketed message of the gospel Yet, there is a steep decline in church attendance, a constant scorn for holy living, and a growing disdain for one's fellow man There is confusion over identity, carelessness over eternity, and an increase of biblical incompetence Perhaps it is because Christians have sought the favor of man above the fullness of the Spirit We have heralded our denominational differences, rather than proclaim the gospel to all who will hear it We mask our fear of complete surrender by hiding in a pew and handing over a tithe We timidly wade the surface of Christ-likeness rather than willingly take the glorious dive We must come

What Kind of Meeting Is It?

Every evening from August 5 th -8 th we will be having Worship services with Bro. Josh Aufdengarten as our special speaker. I debated on what to “call” this event. I know, I know, it should be called what every other person calls it, Revival. I suppose I am one who likes to stir the waters a bit. I simply called it RESTORATION DAYS. Though this may seem to be a minute difference. These are meetings specifically for strength and encouragement. I believe Restoration is a better word to be used than Revival. Revival implies a state of death, Restoration implies a state of weakness. The Christian has already, in Christ, been “made alive” 1 Corinthians 15:22, but he is called to “restore” others in the “spirit of meekness.” As I reflect on this meeting, I would like to put down a couple thoughts that I had written years back regarding Worship and Revival. God bless. “ Today, those who bear the Word of God on their lips seek to present it with a fancy flare. Preachers title their me

Go and Tell

Go and make disciples is the Master's call Go and tell the world that He is Lord of all Don't just sit idly by, while you wait for His return Don't be like a Jonah, anticipating the world to burn A true believer will proclaim the news of God's salvation A true believer humbly wears the scars of persecution To mag nify the name of Christ and redeem the time To invest for eternity and shine His glorious light So why do we rarely seek for ways to spread God's Word Why is it that our speech is only filled with politics, fashion, or sports Why do we fight and toil when it comes to making money But grumble and trudge around when it comes to witnessing Do we really believe what God said is true? Perhaps, we want to “have our cake and eat it too” We must learn that to be a disciple is to bear the cross of Christ To further the gospel through a holy testimony and a faithful life