Having at one time played the game, and now being too old to do anything
but watch from the stands, I have seen the agony of defeat, and the thrill of
victory. I have seen great disappointment when I failed, and great joy when I
succeeded. But again, today like many of us, and all of us at ne time or
another, we were just spectators, and able to comment from the stands when we
would have made a different decision, which would have led to victory. We
would have made the catch, called the right play, not run out of gas on the last
lap, and sunk the free throw. We would not have struck out, or fouled out, nor
got called for a penalty. For we are all blessed with 20/20 hindsight, the
ability to look back and say “I would have done it different.” Maybe the #1
thing I have learned from the Chargers, to not do it the way they do. To not
have defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. To learn from their experience
of how not to do it.
But yet each competitor sets out to win. An old team mate Chris Richey
used to dream of getting the rebound and sinking the shot with two seconds left,
winning the game. How many dream of being rich, and already spending it? Of
going that much faster than the other guy, or having got gas when you could
have, instead of running out and wishing you had? So we all have the gift of
looking back, of seeing what failed, and bragging how it would have never
happened to us. A Reggie Jackson quote here seems appropriate, “fans don’t boo
nobodies.” For every boo Reggie earned, it was because of hitting a home run
before. He had succeeded once, they expected it every time. And so did he.
But as much as we watch from the stands, there are times we need to make a
stand, to stand up in the face of adversity, to not back down from a bully, or
to stand in there when we really want to run and hide. Daniel faced this, and
it is written there were four ways, or four stands he took. And the results.
Sometimes with a crowd, or sometimes alone as Paul faced Nero. He was alone,
like Daniel, no one standing up for him, but he was never alone because God was
with him, and never abandoned him. Right or wrong, God never abandons you. It
is us who leave the game early, and miss how God changes the score from one of
defeat, to one of victory.
The first stand is to stand down. To do nothing, when you know to do
something, to act like a secret agent Christian, no one ever knowing you are
one. Agreeing with the crowd for fear of embarrassment, or ridicule. Being the
nobody that nobody boos, but never making it to the victory party afterwards.
Never seeing how we can do all things in Christ when he is the strength, our
pride not allowing us to fail. So we act in silence, both in words and deeds,
and attitude, too many church folk are like that. Filling a pew, and not
realizing the stench they cause, to the cause of Christ. Suffering in silence,
we never know, only God does. They claim to be waiting on God, really they are
delaying any contact with him. No trust in God....
The other stand we take is to stand aside, doing nothing. Or worse yet
always arguing over some part of scripture, never knowing Jesus. All talk, no
action. They know the word, just not the author. We are saved, so we need to
act like it, others outside the body do, so why don’t we? Too many don’t wish
to get involved, to go where they have never gone, and miss seeing a side of
Jesus they don’t know about. They avoid others different than themselves, and
give when it doesn’t hurt, but when someone else sees only. Let someone else do
it, or worse yet, watching as no one comes to another Christian’s defense. They
are always calling for prayer, never offering it. They never see victory, and
never face defeat, they are like the mugwump, who sits on the fence, his mug on
one side, his wump on the other, going with the crowd. And wondering why God
never blesses them. I listen to the pastor, done all the right church things,
why doesn’t God hear me? He does, and because you are lukewarm, never taking a
stand for anything, never listening, he spits you out. Better for that one to
have lost, realized they were a failure, repented, and be consoled by Jesus.
“But God.....” Testimonies of excuses made, and looking the other way, just not
to Jesus.
There will be times we need to stand against evil, to take a stand. To
defend someone who is innocent, or not abandon one in need. To go against the
crowd, to stand out, maybe in a majority of one with God. To say not to that
next drink or drug, or to tell the truth, no matter the circumstances. To be
open about God, to share Jesus by our actions, using words when needed. To walk
the walk of your talk, hopefully in the Lord, rather than someone guessing you
are a Christian. A sad moment occurred when I called on a brother in law’s
business, and the secretary and I got to talking Jesus. I mentioned my brother
in law was a Christian, and it surprised her. She never would have guessed it.
He never showed it, nor would admit to it. A place where we spend most of our
waking hours, he never took a stand. Or maybe he did, just not for God. And so
evil creeps in, do not give the devil a foot hold, do not be afraid to call a
spade a dirty shovel if it is. Stand for Jesus, he stands with you. Remember
if you deny him here on earth, he will deny you in heaven at judgment time.
Jesus who?
Finally we need to stand up for Christ, and for his people. We are one of
them, and we cannot do it alone, we need good Samaritans to help us, and God
sends them. He sends people like us, to come along side of those in trouble, to
stand up to the bullies of the world. To declare Jesus by love, maybe to
someone unlovable, probably the hardest message you will be called to send
today. To be in Christ walking in the spirit, so you know when to hold them, or
when to fold them. When to argue, when to speak. Better yet, when to listen to
the spirit so you will be guided correctly. Today you will be called upon to
share Jesus, and someone less bold may need your help. They may be the one
bullied because they openly share Jesus, and get picked on for it. You may be
the one God calls to be the Samaritan for them. Or to wake up the secret silent
one. Today may be the day we see Christ in action in their lives, maybe ours,
for the first time. We may face the boos for taking the stand, but plant a seed
for another who is listening, and wanting to know. But without love the
boldness is just us, a clanging bell, or a loud pipe annoying others.
Standing down, who are you really standing for? Standing aside, who is
really your Lord? Standing against, where does your power come from? Standing
up, are you getting all you can from God? There are times we will be all of
them, it comes down to who we say Jesus is. Are we afraid of hearing the boos
for standing for him, or hearing the boos for denying him? Daniel was never
alone against the lion or in the fire. Before man who knew when to be bold, to
tell the truth. He was guided by the same spirit Paul was before Nero, the same
spirit Jesus had before Pilate. And the same spirit that wants to guide you
now. God will provide the words, knows the situation, and is with you. We
cannot do it alone, when we do we fail. Yes we will strike out, miss a free
throw, or drop the pass. Maybe even run out of gas on the last lap, but God is
still with us. We are never alone, nor face life alone. And the boos we hear,
or Reggie heard, are nothing compared to those Jesus endured for us. So be
prepared in season and out, walk in the spirit. Someone is watching, God always
is. Your message of hope may be based on how you handle failure, rather than
victory. Knowing it all will never supplant showing the love of Christ,
application rather than education. Offer hope to those standing down, courage
to those standing aside. Support those who stand against, and always stand up
for Jesus. He did for you, what better example of love do you need?
No coulda, shoulda, or woulda in heaven. And we can have it on earth as it
is in heaven. Jesus said so, what’s your excuse? We are safe in the Lord’s
hands, no matter what. One day closer to heaven each day, could you maybe find
a few minutes to love someone in Jesus name today? Fans don’t boo nobodies,
they look to them when needed. The victory has been won, the game still needs
to be played. Are you in it to win it? Nothing will ever sound as good as
hearing God welcome you to heaven. Tell someone today, they are waiting. Just
like you were.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com