Just Be on God's Side

One day a few years ago I was a substitute at a local high school. I was subbing in the ISS (In School Suspension) class. Everyone was done with their work so I allowed them to talk to me. An interesting class discussion ensued. We started talking about who determines values, what's right and wrong. One of the kids said, "I do. I determine it for my life." I said, "OK, then does that apply for me and my life." He said, "yes." I then replied, "well then, if I decide you don't deserve to live and take you out that's OK because I decided it was OK." He replied, "well no...." Then others chimed in and the consensus came to be that whatever the majority thought was what determined values, right and wrong. So I said, "OK then if we as a group decide that blonde's have no reason to live and take them out then that's OK because we decided it as group." The students replied, "well no...,"and became silent. Then one boy who had been quiet the whole time spoke up and said, "God decides, the Bible tells us what our values should be and what's right and wrong." I said, "exactly!" And then that started a whole discussion about God, Jesus, and the Bible which I loved!
When I was at Catalyst one of my 2x4 moments was a reminder of the memory I just shared. One of the speakers said, "I don't worry about who is for me or who is against me and neither should you. Just be sure that you are on God's side."
Such simple words and yet so profound to me. I often find myself worrying about what others think, worrying about who likes me and doesn't like me. And yet God says, "Don't do that! You just make sure you are on my side." We just need to focus on living for God and not worry about others and their thoughts and judgments about us. God decides what's right and wrong. God decides what our values are. And If we are following him, then what others say or do should be irrelevant to us. Be on God's side and that's all that matters!!!

2 x 4 Moments

Howdy Ho Neighbor! Miss my blogs? I went to Atlanta to the Catalyst conference and caught the swine flu! That stuff is nasty but that's another story for another day.
In one of my earlier ministries I had a guy in my church who was a 100% farmer/rancher. Every year he would take some cattle to market. One day when I was visiting him he showed me how he got the cows loaded onto the truck. He navigates them through these narrow fences and onto the truck. I asked, "what do you do if the cow won't move?" His answer really surprised me. He said, "If I've tried everything to get that cow to move and he still won't move I introduce him to my friend Mr. 2x4." I laughed and asked, "What do you do, whack him on the behind?" He chuckled and said, "no, I don't want to damage that area. I hit him across the forehead." In shock I said, "you hit the cow in the head?" He said, "don't fret, it doesn't hurt them. They have hard heads. But it does get their attention when nothing else will. I said, "I'll bet!"
Well, this week in Atlanta I was the cow and God was the rancher. He hit me so many times with a spiritual 2x4 my head is still spinning. Does God do that to you? He tries and tries to get your attention but you just keep on keeping on not getting what God is trying to tell you when WHAM!, a spiritual 2x4 hits you right across the forehead. 2x4 moments are great moments because we are drawn closer to God and what he wants for our life. Stay alert and be ready to be hit by a godly 2x4 every now and then. If you haven't been hit in awhile, check your spiritual growth meter. I'll bet your due for one!
Over the next few weeks I'm going to share some of the 2x4 moments I experienced at Catalyst. Next year I'm going to Catalyst again but I think I'll wear a helmet.