Yesterday, we had a full house. My parents are visiting from out of town, we have a friend of our oldest (and one of our preacher boys) staying the night so we could celebrate a birthday, so we feel full (we love being able to show hospitality). Earlier in the week, Michaelene, the boys and I had finished watching the movie “Greater,” about Arkansas Razorback walk-on Brandon Burlsworth. So last night, we decided to watch it again. Why? Because it was a movie about faith, facing insurmountable odds with the Lord on your side, and staying faithful, even when all things go wrong. Burlsworth did the impossible, and when everything was finally going right, suddenly went home to be with the Lord when a car skipped the center divider.
I have been teaching my boys and their friend in Sunday School and Preacher Boy Club about these very things. I’ve been working to encourage them about the impact they will have in their school, on their sports teams and everywhere they go. Movies like this drive such lessons home. I still hold true to what I am trying to teach. My lesson, and prayer for them, is that they not only be “good kids,” but godly young men, who, no matter what they face, fix their eyes on Jesus. Brandon Burlsworth not only gave his team a great season in his senior year, but he led many in his team and several others to Christ. He stuck to his guns, and made a godly impact, even when no one else was moving in his direction. Not only did he do the impossible: walk-ons did not make it far on the Razorbacks, he proved by his faith and leadership that the impossible CAN happen when you look to the God of the impossible.
So I ask you this: what impact will your life have? Are you having faith and trust in Christ? Are you leading others to Him, or trying to blend in? Stand firm and stand fast. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do what He leads, even if it seems impossible, and follow Him even if no one else is. The world is watching and waiting. Lead as you follow Christ.
1 Peter 5:1-11
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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