By Joe Widick
Do you know anyone who enjoys running Marathons? As I watched the news clippings of the recent Music City Marathon, I was amazed and the durability of the runners. Thousands upon thousands lined up for the race. Some knowing that they could compete for the first place trophy, others resigned to the fact that they could finish the marathon, winning was not really a part of what they were thinking. As you watch the runners get started, they are fresh, full of energy and appear as though they could run forever. As the race continues, reality begins to sit in. With each stride it becomes a little more challenging. One mile, then two then you are five miles into the race. But you are no where close to the finish line. Breathing becomes a little harder, your legs begin to hurt. At some point you may even grow a little discouraged, am I really going to make it.
There is another group at the Music City Marathon, the spectators. It is those loyal workers, fans, and family members. Did you notice how they cheered as they saw people come into view? It may be a family member or a friend that was spotted. When that runner was spotted, there were shouts and cheers. The runners name was called arms were waved and shouts of encouragement were given. “Just a little farther! Keep going! You’re almost there.” After running 25 miles, many competitors were barely walking and ready to quit. It was amazing to watch exhausted runners brighten up and pick up the pace when they saw someone they knew or heard their name called out.
Encouragement!! We all need it, especially in our walk of faith. The book of Hebrews tells us to keep urging each other on. The writer says, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” Hebrews 10:24-25. Isn’t it important to you to be encouraged? To hear someone say well done, or hang in there, you are going to make it. Today as we gather together to worship we understand that we are one day closer to the day the Lord will return. Can we not see that “Day approaching?” The new testament is filled with the certainty that Christ will return soon. “The Lord is at hand” Philippians 4:5. “The coming of the Lord is at hand” James 5:8. “Behold I come quickly” Revelation 22:12. May each of us be challenged as we “see the day approaching,” let’s keep cheering each other on in the faith. Keep going! You’re almost there. The finish line is in sight!
Prayer Thought: Help me to be a Barnabas
By Joe Widick
I recently read a story about a young boy who was an aspiring young golfer. He would spend hours upon hours in his back yard practicing his swing. He wasn’t however allowed to hit a real golf ball, because his parents feared that he would send the ball through a window. He resigned himself to using only a plastic golf ball. On one particular day, he picked up his club and set of plastic balls and went out to practice. As he began, he longed to be able to hit a real golf ball. To hear the sweet click of a club meeting a real ball was what he wanted. He knew his father was at work and thought his mother was next door visiting a neighbor. He went inside and rummaged around his father’s golf bag and produced a beautiful shinny “real” golf ball. He quickly went outside and teed the ball up, took a mighty swing and accidentally hit the ball through his parent’s bedroom window. The sound of class breaking broke his heart! But not near as bad was the sound he heard from his mother as she cried out. Quickly he ran into the house and up the stairs to her bedroom. There she was standing in front of the broken window, where she had been watching her son. As he came into the room she turned to see him and he quickly noticed that she was bleeding from the broken glass that had been sent flying through the air by the golf ball.
All he could do at that point was to start to cry. And cry he did, he couldn’t stop. In between sobs, he tried to say “Mom what have I done! What have I done! I am sorry! I am so very sorry!!” The young mother with blood on her blouse quickly took her son in her arms and hugged him tightly. Then in a quiet voice she said “it’s all right; everything is going to be all right.” Years latter as the boy reflected on that moment he said “After that I never wanted to take a real golf ball into the backyard.”
Do we ever stop to think about the longsuffering nature of our Lord, especially the suffering He did for us on the cross. Does it ever help you to want to live better, not to repeat over and over the mistakes you have made. Does knowledge of his love for us ever encourage us to want to live “for Him who died for (us) and rose again” (II Corinthians 5:15). At the first part of the verse Paul says his love compels us. This is something that is ongoing, not just a one time affair. After we hear the words of Paul, after we think of the forgiveness that is offered and the cost it had, there are things we just never want to do again—in the backyard or in any other place. Let each of determine that as we ponder Christ’s love for us, we’ll always want to live for Him.
Prayer Thought: Thank you Lord for mothers!
By Joe Widick
his morning after our worship we will spend some time recognizing those that were born since May 2007. It has become an annual affair, this being the third time we have done this. I am not a prophet that is able to tell what the future will hold for each of these little babies. They will live in a world that is far different from the world that I was raised in. Their challenges will be real just like the challenges each of us as adults have had to face. There are some things that I am rather confident about. If the parents of these precious babies will bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, there will be a joy in your home that can not be measured. If the parents will spend quality time with their children as they are brought up, there will be a bond that will be strong between parent and child. If the parents will be strong and say no to the child in a loving and caring way, there will be respect in your home.
In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy had just broken the news to Linus that children cannot live at home forever. Eventually they grow up and move away. Then she said that when he left she would get his room. But, Linus quickly reminded her that at some time she too would have to leave home. When this realization hit Lucy, she was shocked, but she quickly came up with a solution. She turned the TV up loud, crawled into her beanbag chair with a bowl of ice cream, and refused to think about it.
All of us at one time or another have wanted to avoid what we thought were unpleasant matters. Children growing up and eventually moving away from home are one of those things young parents don’t like to think about. Life’s realities cannot be avoided. We may try to run and hide, but eventually we have to live with the reality that our children will grow up. How important is it to you that your child has a strong foundation to build on? How important is it that they know that they are loved and cherished and that even though they have moved away, they still have a place they can call home? On this day that we honor our young parents and their new children, let each one determine in their heart that they will always do all within their power to raise their child in a very special way. Cherish each and every moment, for one day you will wake up and realize that just like Lucy and Linus they have moved out, leaving you with a home that is not as messy as it once was. And the sounds of children playing are absent.
Prayer Thought: Give me the wisdom to raise my children as You would have me to.
