Wednesday, April 18, 2007

All In...this is not your father's church!

There was a day when a pastor using poker for an illustration would have sparked an emergency church board meeting to reconsider his employment. Thankfully the board at The Crossing is letting me slide. Poker's new found popularity makes it an irresistible illustration for someone in my line of work...especially for relationships. If there is any area where risking it all is worth it, that's it.

I think many of us, more often than we would admit, have put our family at risk rather than risk everything else for them. I think of the risks associated with being alone on business trips or flirting with someone you regularly see. I think of the risks of going all in for your work and letting your kids grow up without your presence. I think of the risks of pleasure binges with alcohol, drugs, or porn and what that says to your family. I think of the risks of not acting on some problem your child has at an early age thinking they will grow out of it.

Whatever the reason: laziness, depression, greed, lust...or somehow just thinking you deserve it, we have taken some risks. Thankfully God knows all about taking a risk for someone because he did it for us. I grew up singing a song from southern Gospel music called Who Am I?

Who am I, that a king would bleed and die for?
Who am I that he would say, 'not my will thine for?'
The answer I am never know, why he ever loved me so,
That to an old rugged cross he would go. Who am I?

I spent some time this morning with the Lord and truly wept as I considered what he did for me. I wept also as I thought about the risks that have been considered in my mind. Not only risks to my family but risks to my faith. In fact I don't know how you can separate one from the other. I know the Bible doesn't.

One of the ways we can worship God is by going all in for our family and closest relationships. It is a great investment and it pleases the Lord. Don't miss this Sunday's service as continue down this road. I have something to give each of the guys this week, so be there men!

No comments: