Good morning, everyone.
Our verse for today comes from John 3:24, “For John had not yet been thrown into prison.”
You may have seen those television commercials where the people are walking around with dollar amounts suspended over their heads. The numbers supposedly represent a future amount of money that these people will have or need to have in order to retire in a manner that suits them. But how would it look if they had something a little different hanging over them? Suppose that instead of future bank account amounts, these folks had future life-altering events hovering above them? Suppose John, for example, had “Thrown in prison” following him around everywhere he went. Maybe it would even say, “Needlessly beheaded.” Imagine Paul carrying with him, “Five times beaten with 39 stripes,” or “Shipwrecked three times.” Or maybe when he was more commonly known as Saul, his would say, “Met Jesus on a trip.”
Now, in the commercials, the people are aware of the dollar amounts following them around. They even seem to get some identity from them. But in our lives, we don’t get to know what lies in our future. We cannot see the words suspended over our heads. Certainly John and Paul could not have foreseen the brutality that men would inflict on them because they chose to follow Jesus. So, if you could see those words hanging over your head, what might they say? What dramatic event awaits you for the cause of Christ? Would it be as shocking as “Gave $100 to missions?” Or maybe something like “Went to church during a pandemic.” If we were to honestly look at what we hang our hats on for Christ, too many of us would hang our heads in shame. Do we really think that five minutes of praying and doing a few things at church are going to change the world for the Lord? If Thoreau is right, then too many of us are living lives of quiet desperation. Instead, our faith in Jesus should compel and empower us to make an impact for Him. You have a big part in writing the words over your head, and someone else’s. You can influence the future, even eternity. What is more powerful than that?
As we seek Him today, do something that is not in your normal routine. Step outside yourself and see what words are waiting for you there.
Have a great Tuesday shaping the future.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
