Chuck Locklear
fascinating characters, impactful books and messages
The Case For Mothering
What does the word “mothering” mean to you? What typically comes to mind is what a parent does, mother or father. It is directing, telling, disciplining, correcting, etc. Mothering and Fathering may not be as effective as one might think… depending on the circumstances.
Gracie’s Story
Remember Gracie? I’ve written about her story previously. When she was a young girl, her father went to jail when she was young and her mother left her to join the carnival. Many years passed and her mother came back into her life, but now Gracie was an adult. The mother tried to “mother” her. Gracie said, “Mom, stop trying to mother me. I’m an adult now. I want to have a relationship with you, but you’ll need to get to know me as an adult.”
In Grace’s case, she communicated to her mother, you have lost the opportunity to assume these actions. I hear you saying, “That’s right Gracie’s mom doesn’t deserve the privilege,” but I have to tell you the lesson is much deeper.
As parents, we have a very narrow window of when “mothering” or “fathering” is effective. The change happens at about adolescence. I remember with my oldest daughter that this happened at about 11 years old. Yes, 11 years old. Does that mean that, instantly, I was no longer able to direct, tell, and correct? No, but these actions became less, and less effective. Instead, what was more, and more effective was my relationship with her. She knew that her mother and I loved her and, most of the time, she wanted to do things to please us. At that point in her life, convincing was much more effective. We would emphasize the expectations we had for her and how we desired the best outcomes for her life. She was old enough to internalize these messages and they worked.
Adolescence Changes Things
If you wait until your children are adolescents, it is too late to start mothering. After adolescence, it is all about the relationship with your children. The time for directing, telling, disciplining, and correcting is gone.
As parents you must invest into these lives early, while they are young, in order to have a strong relationship later. In my case, by the time that my children got there, the chance to grow a strong relationship was easier. They already knew that their mother and I loved them, mothering and fathering wasn’t necessary.
“And now a word to you parents. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice.”
Ephesians 6:4, TLB
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Raising Children Is Tough.
Nineveh and Black Lives Matter
The answer to “What matters to God?” can be found in one of the oldest books in the Bible: Jonah. Most people know that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, but many people don’t know what happened next. Jonah found out that Nineveh lives and black lives matter to God.
When he got out of the whale, he decided to listen to God and went to preach to the dreaded people of Nineveh. You see the reason that he had not gone in the first place was because Nineveh had a reputation. It was a wicked city. Jonah was afraid of them, but the whale had taught him a lesson and he went. He preached, “Forty days from now and Nineveh will be destroyed!”
Amazingly, the people did something wonderful. They repented and decided to listen to God. This made Jonah very angry.
“This is exactly what I thought you’d do… For I knew you were a gracious God, merciful, slow to get angry, and full of kindness; I knew how easily you could cancel your plans for destroying these people.”
Jonah 4:1-2
You see, Jonah was not focusing on what mattered most. What mattered to God was the 120,000 people who did not know the love of God. When I say L ives Matter,” I am not saying that white lives or blue lives don’t matter. What I am saying is that all lives don’t matter until we can say black lives matter too.
What matters most to God is people, “red and yellow, black and white.” As Christ followers, we are to seek justice and love mercy for all of God’s people. Yes, even people who are different from us. In fact, Nineveh Lives Matter!
Also, see Revolutionary.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Raising Children Is Tough
Gracie is a beautiful person inside and out. Her story should be made into a movie. Her father went to jail when she was young and her mother left her to join the carnival. Gracie’s mother’s parents took her to Texas to live with them. Her mother came to visit and was angry that Gracie referred to her grandparents as mom and dad. So, the mother took Gracie to travel with the carnival. Gracie’s story provide provides two incredible lessons about raising children.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Gracie’s father got out of jail and started looking for her. Child Protective Services located Gracie and called her father. Her father traveled to Texas and brought her back to Michigan. After a long time, the mother came to kid-nap her again and took her to a different state. Her father came and got her. This happened a third time, but now Gracie was older. The father had remarried and Gracie’s mother convinced her that her dad didn’t want her, but he found her again and recused her.
Several more years passed by and her mother came back into her life again, but now Gracie was an adult. The mother always talked bad about the dad and tried to “mother” Gracie. Gracie said, “Mom, my dad is the person I am closest to in life. Don’t talk bad about him. And, stop trying to mother me. I’m an adult now. I want to have a relationship with you, but you’ll need to get to know me as an adult.” I asked Gracie, “How is that going?” She said, “At least, she is trying.”
Lesson One
The first lesson about raising children is that Gracie’s dad loved her. She was important to him, regardless of the situation. His actions communicated that Gracie was valuable enough to come and find her. I’ve met Gracie’s dad. Today, they have a strong, beautiful relationship. The love they have for each other is built on the price he has paid investing into Gracie’s life.
Gracie now has half-brothers and half-sisters. Incredibly, this man has strong, beautiful relationships with each of these children. For him, loving and making his children a priority seems to come naturally. I’m sure he is not thinking about it or asking to himself, “What is the responsible thing to do?” He is doing what is in his heart. Fathers, if it doesn’t come naturally to invest in your children, I ask that you dig deep to find some love and nurture it. Act on it. Do something just for your children. The more you do it, the more natural it will become. If you have the choice to do something for yourself or your children, choose your children. In the long run, it will pay off, just as it has for Gracie’s father.
Lesson Two
The second lesson is about Gracie’s mother. When I use the word “mothering,” what I mean is what typically comes to mind when we think of what a parent does, mother or father. It is directing, telling, disciplining, correcting, etc. In Gracie’s case, she communicated to her mother, you have lost the opportunity to assume these actions. I hear you saying, “That’s right Gracie’s mom doesn’t deserve the privilege,” but I have to tell you the lesson is much deeper.
As parents, we have a very narrow window of when “mothering” or “fathering” is effective. The change happens at adolescence. I remember with my oldest daughter that this happened at about 11 years old. Yes, 11 years old. Does that mean that, instantly, I was no long able to direct, tell, and correct? No, but these actions gradually became less, and less effective. Instead, what was more, and more effective was my relationship with her. She knew that her mother and I loved her and, most of the time, she wanted to do things to please us. At that point in her life, convincing was much more effective. We would emphasize the expectations we had for her and how we desired the best outcomes for her life. She was old enough to internalize these messages and they worked.
Adolescence Changes Things
In my case, by the time that my children got to adolescence, the change growing a strong relationship was easier. They already knew that we loved them. We had invested into their lives. Sadly, it is a lot more difficult to convince a high-school-aged son or daughter that you want what is best for them if you haven’t already made the investment. If this is you, keep trying. Raising children is tough. If you are lucky, you’ll have a daughter like Gracie who wants a relationship with you.
Also, see Learn a Lesson From Prince Philip.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Changing Our Name
We are thinking about changing our name. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment.
Inspirational Hope was started as a marketplace for pastors, teachers, and church leaders. Our goal was to provide sermons, bible studies, videos, and other resources, created by pastors for pastors. By sharing our sermons and bible studies, we hoped to expand the Kingdom of God.
The purpose of Inspirational Hope has shifted to becoming a place for providing positive and encouraging messages to a broader audience. We are thankful for this opportunity to shine the light of God’s love all around the globe. Our original web address was SMOR (Sunday Morning Resources), which made since at the time. (See About Inspirational Hope.) However, it may be time for changing our name. We have purchased the following compelling web addresses. (Click on each web address for additional information.) Let us know which one you like best.
A. Inspirationalhope.today
This is a new web address, but the same name and same great content. Since the goal is to expand the platform, we feel this new name might help. Leave a comment telling us why you think choice “A” would attract followers.
B. Inspirationnow.org
Inspiration Now is a new name. Adding the word “now” to the name and web address provides a sense of urgency to our content. Leave a message saying why you like choice “B” the best.
C. Inspired2hope.com
Inspired 2 Hope is a new name and web address. This name uses the fewest characters and focuses our content on “hope.” Leave a comment saying why you like choice “C.”
Will We See the Rapture?
The movie Left Behind (2014) with Nicolas Cage provides a dramatic portrayal of how the Rapture and Great Tribulation, described in Biblical prophecy, might happen. But, the truth is no one knows, certainly, not me. Regarding this topic, I find the more I learn, the less I know.
C.S. Lewis
Matthew contains a stunning prophesy by Jesus, “this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Matthew 24:34). This statement has bothered me for a long time. Could Jesus have been wrong? C.S. Lewis, Christian author who wrote the Chronicles of Narnia, said the following:
“The apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. . . He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else.” — C.S. Lewis, “The World’s Last Night” (1960)
To Whom Was He Speaking
Truly “all these things” are not done, yet the generation to whom Jesus spoke is gone. Jesus gave this claim while sitting on the Mount of Olives, looking out over the Temple. But, to who was Jesus really directing his claim, those listening to him, first-century Christians, or a later generation, maybe even us?
Rapture Prophecies
Church history has many examples of modern-day “prophets” who have attracted public attention with the claim of knowing the exact time of the Lord’s return. Some examples include:
- William Miller, founder of the Adventist movement, predicted that Christ would come in 1843. When that prediction failed, he revised the prediction in 1844.
- Joseph Smith of Mormon fame taught that Christ would come no later than 1891.
- C. T. Russell, founder of the Watchtower organization, predicted that the Second Coming would occur in 1914.
- Hal Lindsey, author of the popular book The Late Great Planet Earth, argued that the “signs” of Matthew 24 indicated that Jesus would return to earth by about 1988. Lindsey arrived at this conclusion by suggesting that the “generation” which witnessed the rebirth of Israel (1948) would also experience the Lord’s visible return. Since a generation is supposed to be about forty years, Lindsey surmised that Christ would return to effect the “rapture” within that generation. (Wayne Jackson, “This Generation Shall Not Pass Away”)
Rapture Viewpoints
All of these claims proved to be wrong. However, there are three viewpoints explaining Matthew 24:34 that we need to explore. Our exploration starts with this question — what is the meaning of the phrase “this generation?” First, dispensationalists believe that “generation” is a reference to “race.” For example, the period of Gentile dominance, a time period in which the Jewish people are outcasts and God is focusing his grace on the Gentile race. This time period is often referred to as the “Church Age.” The dispensation of the Gentiles shall not pass away until all these things have happened.
A second viewpoint is that Jesus’ prophecy has already been fulfilled. Those holding this viewpoint believe that most Bible prophecy, including everything within Matthew 24, Daniel, and Revelation up to chapters 19 or 20, has already been fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.
Thirdly, there is Futurism, which holds that all major Biblical prophecies will be fulfilled during a global time of catastrophe known as the Great Tribulation. During this time that most end-time prophecies will be fulfilled. Many futurists see the return of the Jews to Israel as required for fulfillment of end-time prophecy. Within evangelical Christianity, futurism has become the dominant viewpoint.
Futurists anticipate many coming events that will fulfill Biblical prophecy: the seven-year period of tribulation, the Antichrist’s global government, the Battle of Armageddon, the Second Coming of Jesus, and the Millennial Reign of Christ.
Two Audiences
Wow, I just covered a lot of ground. Now, back to the question to who was Jesus speaking? My belief is that Jesus was talking to two audiences at one time. The one sitting in front of him and an audience that would be alive during the Great Tribulation, a generation that would also see his second coming…maybe that is us, maybe not. Actually, earlier in Matthew 24, Jesus’ disciples ask two questions: 1) When will this happen (the destruction of the Temple)? 2) What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? So, Jesus answered both questions at one time. Of course, the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD.
For the second question, Jesus gave no exact signs by which the end of time could be calculated. He affirmed the foolishness of trying to calculate the exact time saying, “But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). So, I warn you to be cautious of modern “prophets” that predict the day and hour of the end of the world.
Since we don’t know the exact time of the Rapture, wherever God places you… be faithful! Be the King’s ambassador for his message of love and peace in whatever part of the world you find yourself. Finally, I point you to the last words of Paul to the Hebrews.
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear
Also, see What Is Your Legacy?
Joy and Gratitude
Joy is linked to gratitude, but not in a way that seems obvious. “For it is not joy that makes us grateful.” “It is gratitude that makes us joyful.” Practicing gratitude produces fruits of joy. The way of joy and gratitude is illustrated in the story of the Philippian jailer who finds that his prisoners have stayed to bring him and his house salvation (Acts 16:25-34).
Reminded of Gratitude
My 27-year old son, Holland, invited me to travel with him to San Francisco and he paid my way. It was a wonderful experience! One of his middle-school teachers responded to my Facebook posts asking, “Is that Holland?” Her question reminded me of my gratitude. I said, “Yes” and thanked her for helping Lizzy and I raise such a good young man. Then, I said, “There were days in middle school when we were worried.” A mom of Holland’s friend Nick chimed in saying, “Thank God they are both okay! It really does take a village.” This is so true and a reminder of the gratitude we should all have for those who have helped us along the way.
San Francisco is a great place to visit, though, I can’t image how anyone can afford to live there. I used my Zillow app to check home prices in every neighborhood we visited. The cheapest price I could find was a 700 square foot house for…$1 million. The cheapest rent was a 400 square foot apartment for… $2,400/month. Crazy! I suppose that is why they have so many homeless people and tent cities everywhere.
Oakland Stadium
Our excuse for going to San Francisco was to watch the Detroit Lions play the Oakland Raiders. Oakland is a tough town, just like Detroit. It was fun watching Detroit lose in a different city.
We visited Alcatraz, which is most famous for being a Federal prison, but started as a Civil War era fort and at one point was taken over by Native Americans to force the United States government into recognizing treaty rights for Native Americans. At Alcatraz, we learned a lot about Al Capone, the prisons most famous “guest.”
Northern California is beautiful. We ate at Fisherman’s wharf, Chinatown, and Little Italy. Interestingly, we rode bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge on a day that was so foggy you couldn’t see more than 10 feet in front of you. We visited Muir Woods National Monument and saw the giant redwood trees. We climbed to the top of a mountain to see the “canopy view.” I even recorded an episode of Chuck & Lizzy while climbing up the steep, narrow trail to the top.
Gratitude Is Linked to Joy
I keep using the word gratitude to describe my trip because of the connection to joy. A line from the new Paul Simon song Stranger to Stranger says, “I’m just jittery, I’m just jittery. It’s just a way I’m dealing with my joy.” This lyric is catchy and fun; but at first, it doesn’t make sense. Why would you be jittery about joy?
Brené Brown, professor and author of five New York Times best-sellers, describes joy “as the most terrifying of emotions.” Joy opens us up to vulnerability. She thinks of the joy she felt watching her sleeping child; “Whew! I love like I didn’t know it was possible!” But then . . . “What if something horrific happened? Something to take away joy?” I remember, feeling that way when Holland was a baby; “Just jittery, it’s just a way I’m dealing with my joy.” Yes, I was joyful and terrified at the same time. Now, I have experienced that same emotion with my grandkids.
Grateful For Being Alive
In the example of the Philippian jailer, it was truly miraculous that God opened the prison doors. However, equally miraculous is that Paul and Silas stayed put when the doors opened. In Roman times, to lose a prisoner was catastrophic. The consequences of a prison break would have meant death to the jailer and his family (upstairs) would have lost everything. However, Paul said: “Don’t take your life away: Jesus’ salvation has come.” One can only imagine the sense of salvation the jailer must have felt. He was saved from death; his family was saved for a future. Their entry into the new way of Jesus Christ was mirrored in their own gratitude for being alive. Theirs became a joy that was more consequential than their experiences of vulnerability. Joy poured forth from their deep gratitude at being alive. Salvation means wholeness. They were whole.
Recognizing the Good
The key point is to tolerate vulnerability so that joy may flourish. Brené Brown suggests that “when we lose our tolerance for vulnerability, joy becomes foreboding. Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” Brown illustrates this in the story of a man who kept life on an even keel. Never too excited; never too joyful. He avoided vulnerability. In his sixties, he and his wife were in a car accident. His wife of forty years was killed. The second he realized that she was gone, he thought, “I should have leaned harder into those moments of joy,” because not doing so did not protect him from what he now felt. Brown sums it up like this: “We try to dress rehearse tragedy, so that we can beat vulnerability to the punch. But it’s better to lean into joy.”
We can nurture joy by practicing gratitude. We can find opportunities to tolerate our vulnerabilities by practicing gratitude so that we can lean into joy. How might we intentionally practice gratitude? It can be in the small ways. We can thank someone or show appreciation. Gratitude can be practiced in being more generous, experiencing vulnerability by giving away ourselves, our money, and what we cling to. We can practice gratitude as a people who walk in the way of joy, sharing the news of Jesus’ salvation to our world, wherever we go.
Copyright Chuck Locklear 2019
Also, see How to Be Happy.
Privilege?
Are we better than others? Do we walk on the other side of the road when we see someone in need? Our sense of privilege can get in the way being his hands and feet.
Invest Our Talents
During World War 2, bombs fell on Poland. One lone building partly survived the bombs…a wall stood with these words clearly legible: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Bombs will continue to fall in our world because of sin. Our world was corrupted by sin. This world will be impacted by natural and man-made calamities. This will continue to happen until Christ returns to set up his new kingdom. Until that time, we should invest the talents God has given us while there is still time. There are people in our communities that need the love of God. In addition to praying for world peace, let’s pray for peace on our street.
I recently read this question in a Bible study: “Are you on the front lines in the defense of Christianity, or has your love for God grown cold?” Wow, really? Does Christianity really need to be defended? You may know that I love history. That question sounds like a recruiting poster for the war against the Turks in the battle that saved Christendom in 1683.
Hero King
The Great Siege of Vienna was the historical culmination of the Turks’ long struggle against Christian Europe. The besieging force was the largest Turkish army ever assembled. Vienna was the door to Central Europe. Within the city walls, the choice was surrender or be ruthlessly slaughtered. The hero of the defense of Christendom was the Polish King John Sobieski. He led the largest cavalry charge in history with 18,000 winged Hussars. They charged down the hill and broke the Turkish siege. The Christian forces had won the battle.
Yet, the call to come to the defense of Christendom was more about kingdoms, culture, power, and money than about coming to God’s defense. It was about entitlement. God doesn’t need us to defend him. God doesn’t need us to argue his side on Facebook. American prosperity has nothing to do with God’s plan for our world.
Don’t Be a Jerk
“What about me?” This one question will keep you from serving God and cause us to act like a jerk.
It is human nature to compare ourselves to others. “I deserve it more than she does.” “I’ve worked harder than he has.” This also lets us off the hook. “I don’t need to help them. They should help themselves.” You know the saying, “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” This is a silly statement and it is not in the Bible. It is a rationalization that justifies me saying “No” to God. “No, I don’t need to give to him or her. If they only learned to fish; they could help themselves.”
I love this idea from John Pavlovitz, If God Is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk. God is love and we are children of that love. Our feelings of privilege can get in the way of us being like Jesus. We are called to shine the light of Jesus’ love to the world around us.
The truth is that we are our brother’s [and sister’s] keepers. Don’t be a jerk. We all have needs. God understands this. Our cup will overflow with blessings as we serve others.
Privilege or Responsibility
Our feelings of privilege can get in the way of doing God’s work. We are no more entitled than anyone else. If we feel we are better than others, we are just like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. We will walk on the other side of the road when we see someone in need. Instead, we have a responsibility to hear Jesus’ voice calling us to be the Good Samaritan.
“Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will repay them.”
Proverbs 19:17
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Growth Mindset.
The Meaning of Virtual
These days we’ve become a loving community, virtually, a place where people can share their needs, challenges, and celebrations. We have added love to the meaning of the word virtual.
There are prayer requests of all kinds: for broken arms, skin cancer removal procedures, sinus headaches, kidney stones, Cathy’s nephew, Tony’s niece, and lots of prayer requests for family and friends with COVID.
There are prayer requests for safe travels and flooding. Then, there was this great quote from a dear sister, “When one hurts, we all hurt. When one prays, we all pray. When one sings praises, we all sing with you.”
There are birthday celebrations. “Happy birthday Dina,” and “Happy birthday Michelle, have a blessed day.”
There are many praise reports. Thank you Jesus that Liz, Donna, and Marie are doing better. “Yes, Jesus is good to us, all the time.”
Most recently, there was the announcement of the Turkey giveaway. We were blessed with 75 Turkey dinners, again this year.
This all reminds me of Jesus’ words in John:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13 34-35, NIV
Loving one another is Jesus’ indicator of our success. The focus of our lives should be on people, not accomplishments and things. Our focus should be on sharing love, not just with our family, but also with our neighbors.
This is the reason I love this prayer request from Devin asking for prayer for his dad’s boss’s son, hurt in a bad motorcycle accident. My guess is that Devin doesn’t know the son hurt in the motorcycle accident or, if he does, not well. But, Devin rides motorcycles and identified with the young man because of a common connection.
God sent his son to earth so that he could connect with us, so that he could understand our hopes and dreams, understand our challenges and fears. It is true for us as well. God has placed us into our world so that we can connect with those around us. So often, we spend a lot of time wrapped up in our own wants and concerns, our own families, our own careers, and our own aspirations. But, let us not be so centered on what is ours to not stop and pray for our “dad’s boss’s son.”
In the end, no activities or accomplishments will stand up to how well we loved. Not only must we add love to the meaning of virtual. We must add love to in-person, to our words and our actions. We must add love without judgement or condemnation. Indeed, we must love God with our whole hearts and others as he has loved us.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Victorious Living.
God’s Will
If the good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise . . . How many of you had a granny who said this? I did. Growing up in Stinkin Creek, Kentucky rising creeks were a real thing. They might prevent you from almost any commitment: visiting a relative, attending to church, going to the market. Praying for God’s will was more than words.
Creeks In the City?
Long after she moved to Detroit, my grandmother would still attach this condition to almost any commitment, “If the good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise.” As a child, I thought this was strange. I did not know of any creeks around our neighborhood, and there was almost no chance of the Detroit River rising to the level that it would affect us. For my grandmother, this condition allowed her an “out” if something came up and she couldn’t fulfill a commitment. But, more importantly, it was a reminder to her, and everyone she spoke with, that the “Lord’s will” is what she wanted in her life.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray,
“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10
I can hear my grandmother’s voice saying, “If the good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise.” It was in her heart to align her words and actions with the will of God. If we align our requests with God’s will, we know that he hears us and will answer. For example, “God I know it is your will for this family to have a roof over their heads. Please show me how to make this possible.”
Change Our Focus
As we pray, that must be our focus. to see God’s will be done in our life, in our community, in the lives of our neighbors. I can hear some of you saying, “But, everything happens for a reason,” meaning it is out of our control. “God works everything according to his purpose.” This is not true! It is not God’s will that anyone should perish. The truth is that he gave us free will. We get to choose whether or not God’s will is done in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Let’s choose to focus on God’s will. In so doing, we can have confidence that God hears us and will answer our prayers. We know that he has been faithful in the past and will show up on our behalves now. We don’t have to worry about “If the good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise.” It is God’s will, but we have to do our part.
Also, see Advice From a Grandmother.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Finding Purpose
Have you ever felt “goaded” into something. The word goad is not commonly used today. The phrase “kicking against the goads” refers to the practice of farmers goading their oxen in the fields. A goad is a spiked stick for driving cattle or oxen. It directs their work and provides purpose. What is your purpose?
A Good Example
Sometimes the ox would kick at the goad. When this happened, the goad would stab into the flesh and the pain would remind the animal of its purpose. The Apostle Paul is a good example of someone who was being goaded. God got his attention on the road to Damascus. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14).
All of Paul’s life God had been goading him in the direction of his purpose. However, Paul was resisting God’s purpose, trying to do what he thought was best for his life. Perhaps, this is how many of us respond to life. Are you directing your time and energy into pursuing your own desires? Perhaps, it is time to stop “kicking against the goads.”
Purpose?
When we surrender and open our hearts to God’s purpose, he will make his calling clear. After Paul had been blinded by the light, God said to him, “Now get up and stand on your feet. . . I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light . . . so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:16-18).
For me, I have been called to more than one purpose over my lifetime. I was called to teach Sunday school when I was 17 years old. . . and I did that faithfully. Perhaps, my greatest calling has been as a father. In this calling, I have made the greatest difference in this world. My legacy lives on in my children and grandchildren. People that have experienced the love of God are shining light into the darkness of our world. My work was a calling. I have been an educator, a principal, and a pastor. In each of these roles I have pursued God’s purpose and daily asked for God’s direction.
How Powerful is Faith?
On one occasion, Jesus taught his disciples saying, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).
I can hear you thinking, “Easy for him to say. He is the son of God.” “I’ve not seen any mountains moving in my life.” We all experience tragedies and hardships in life that can challenge our faith. The truth is, to some degree, we are all affected by a lack of faith. This reminds me of the story in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus healed a little body at the request of his father. The father pleaded with Jesus saying, “If you can, please heal my son.” Jesus’ response is amazing:
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. I can almost hear the sarcasm in Jesus’ voice. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 23-24)
Decision
Make the decision to be all in. Hear the voice of God today and say, “Yes, Lord.” Maybe you don’t know exactly what that means, but, don’t worry, he will make it clear to you. You just have to surrender. It starts with a simple, “Yes.” God has a purpose for you.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see With God All Things Are Possible.
