Chuck Locklear
fascinating characters, impactful books and messages
Fear Is a Big Bully
A recent tragedy in my family got me thinking about the subject of fear.
Fear is oversized and rude. Fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Do you ever see the two together? Can someone be happy and afraid at the same time? Fear is a big bully: brash, loud, and unproductive. Yet, we allow fear so much control over our lives. Happiness would be a much better companion.
Storms on the Sea of Galilee
There is a famous painting, the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, painted in 1633 by the Dutch Golden Age painter Rembrandt. The account of this storm is found in Matthew 8: 23-27. Matthew remembered the pouncing tempest and carefully chose his words to convey the emotions and fear of the moment. While Matthew was not a fisherman, many of the disciples were. They were familiar with storms on the sea of Galilee, but yet everyone in the boat was fearful…except one. Jesus slept comfortably. He was not afraid. Jesus knew something that we need to learn, something that applies to the storms in our lives. God is in control! He has the power to calm the storm. But, also, this story is a not-so-subtle reminder that getting on board with Jesus can mean getting soaked. Yes, Christ-followers can contract malaria, bury children, and battle addiction and illness. Yes, we will face fear.
This brings me to a couple of basic questions. Why is life filled with so much trouble? And, what makes pain and anguish different for Christians? This life is filled with trouble because we live in a world that has been defiled by sin. This was not God’s plan. We were set on this course by Adam and Eve. However, God has put into action a solution for this condition. Jesus came, lived and died, to reconcile mankind to God. As Christians, we have access to the Father because of his Son. We can have faith in the promises of God, because of the life of Jesus.
Let’s look at a few verses and think about what they mean for us.
Do Not Fear
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Luke 12:32
What does these words of Jesus mean to you? It means to me that I am a child of the king and he takes pleasure in giving me the blessings and bounty of the kingdom…God loves to bless us in this life and in the next one too. In the end, I know, “We win!”
“Don’t be afraid. Just believe, and your daughter will be well.”
Luke 8:50
This statement is a little more “real” for me. God has the power to heal and often the prayer of faith does raise the sick. Praying for the sick, with faith, is what we have been commanded to do. However, I’ve had to face storms in my family, Liz’s brother Byron, at 21 years old; the extended illness and death of my mother; and my own struggle with diabetes. Sometime we pray and the answer is “Not yet.” Sometimes the answer is “No.” Sometimes we pray and the answer is “My grace is sufficient for you.” Regardless of the answer, I’ve learned through difficulties that life without faith in Jesus is hopeless.
A Sleeping Savior
We all hope for an easy ride through life, smooth sailing on a crystal-clear sea. But storms rise up. None of us can escape this inevitable fact—whether we are Christians or not. As the waves rocked and shook the boat, the disciples were afraid. They screamed and Jesus dreamed. What if this was a premeditated slumber? What if in full knowledge of the coming storm, Jesus decided it was siesta time and so crawled to the corner, put his head on the ballast bags and went to sleep? Have you ever felt that Jesus was sleeping through the storms in your life? How did you respond? Anger, frustration, hurt? For me, I felt like God abandoned me.
The apostles’ lack of faith reminds us that even those who lived and walked with Jesus, saw His miracles, and heard his message still found it difficult to be 100 percent faith-filled all the time. In that way, the disciples were a lot like us. However, their lack of faith was rebuked—and, by extension, so is ours. If Jesus was able to rescue the apostles from the storm, Jesus is able to rescue us from the storms of everyday life: sickness, job loss, marriage problems, and even the sting of death.
The Lord never promised we would not see storms in our lives. As a matter of fact, Jesus told us to expect trouble. However, he has promised that he will be with us in the storm. He will never leave his children alone in the midst of trouble. With perseverance, we will overcome. This is just as true today as it was in that Storm on the Sea of Galilee.
Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear
Also, see A Promise Of Blessing.
Strong Love
A couple of years ago, Lizzy and I traveled to North Carolina for the 50th Annual Lumbee Homecoming and the Locklear family reunion. In one way, it was a difficult trip as it was my first one since the death of my dad. However, it was also a blessing as I was reminded of the Christian legacy of my ancestors and the key to strong love.
Scooppie
But, let me start by introducing you to Scooppie, no relation. On his grave marker it read, “Do unto others as they have done unto you.”
This is a misquote of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” and an indictment of the life of this young man, Scooppie, buried at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. I asked my aunt if they use a different version of the Bible at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She asked why. Then, I showed her the grave marker. She was shocked, not realizing that was actually in the church’s cemetery.
Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount were not a discipline built into this young man’s life. His young life ended, when he took his gun to kill the boyfriend of his sister, but it was an ambush and he was the one who was shot and killed. To be Christ-like is to love those who are difficult to love, “Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. . .”
We spent a lot of time during this trip visiting cemeteries. I think we visited every cemetery in Robeson County: Christian Cemetery, Dial Cemetery, Willis Cemetery, Union Chapel, and Mount Olive. But, most of the trip was filled with stories of lives well lived, not like that of Scooppie.
Weave a Strong Love
This trip reminded me of this verse, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV).
Three stands are good, as long as one is Jesus. Any relationship that you have will be made stronger if Jesus is one of the strands. Liz and I have allowed God to strengthen our marriage. This is true of my Uncle Grover and Aunt JoAnn as well. They are really good together. Their’s is a strong love. My uncle told me he was very shy growing up and my aunt said, “I made him a lot better person.” She then said, “Well, we made each other a lot better.” He said, “That is right.”
In watching them, it was also obvious how much their faith in Jesus has made them better. They pray at meal times, attend church together, teach Sunday school, and work in the community. The three strands of their chord have made them strong and blessed their lives. God has blessed them with children, grandchildren, land, houses, and influence in the community. We spent one morning at the county court house, where JoAnn introduced us to the Chief Judge of Superior Court, the district attorney, and many other influential people. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” This promise has been definitely fulfilled in the lives of Uncle Grover and Aunt JoAnn.
Legacy Of Faith
Faith in Christ , however, didn’t start with them. My grandmother wove the strand of her relationship with Jesus into the cord of all her relationships. She was a praying woman. My grandfather traumatized her and all of the relationships in his life. I asked my Uncles Grover and Jerry, “How is it that you brothers turned out to be good people? They both said, “We had a praying mother.” I have been blessed to spend some significant time with Grover, Jo Ann, and Jerry since the death of my dad. Reflecting on his mother, Grover said, “Isn’t it something? She didn’t even get to see the answers to many of her prayers.” It wasn’t until after her death that my uncles became leaders in the church and devoted followers of Jesus.
As a child, I remember my mother and grandmother, Mary Lowery, praying together. The strongest memory I have of my dad’s mother was how kind she was. She was kind to everyone, whether they deserved it or not. In Luke, Jesus uses the word “mercy.” Verse 36 says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” By showing mercy, we are being like Christ. Mary loved the Lord and her children and grandchildren have been blessed because of her. Psalm 103 says, “From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him… with their children’s children (Psalm 103:17-18, NIV).
Answered Prayer
At my Uncle Louis’ house, I saw a photo on the wall of my dad and eight of his brothers and sisters standing on the steps of Mount Olive Baptist Church, next to my Grandfather, Dock Locklear. I said, “Uncle Louis, what is this photo?” He said that is the day that your Granddad got baptized. The day was April 24, 1988; he was 87 years old. Praise God! That was 15 years after my grandmother had died. She did not live to see it. But, let me guarantee, she prayed for that day and there he was standing with nine of his children who were blessed to celebrate for her.
I also discovered on this trip that the legacy of faith did not start with my grandmother. My great grandparents on both sides attended Mount Olive Baptist Church. In fact, James E. Dial, Mary’s grandfather was a founding member of the church and of the Croatan Indian Normal School, later to become the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Recently, Grover said he was talking with Hazel, a 92-year old woman at church. She said, “Did you know that your grandmother led me to Christ?” She then recounted the story of how, as a 14-year old girl, my great grandmother, Gatsy Locklear, invited her to come to the alter and pray to receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
On this trip, I was reminded that weaving Jesus into your family relationship makes the love strong. Also, weaving Jesus through all of your relationships makes your community strong. It is now our turn. Together, let’s build on the legacy of faith. . . and expand the God’s community.
Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Unconditional Love.
The Advent Calendar. . . Peace
For the second Sunday on the Advent Calendar, we can find peace as we look at the majesty of God in the Gospel of Luke.
“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’
… Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus…’
‘How will this be, ‘Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’
“The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1: 26-35).
Christmas Story
It is difficult for many to believe the Christmas story in the Bible. For example, Mary’s pregnancy creates a lot of skepticism for some. An angel told Mary she would become pregnant and would give birth to the Son of God. A virgin giving birth! Come on? And, to the Son of God! Give me a break. How do you explain that?
As a pastor, my job is to offer prospective and provide answers. After all, I’ve lived a long time. I have a lot of education. I talk to God on a regular basis and study God’s word. Sorry, the truth is that I can’t explain it. I don’t have a logical answer for this one. Because a miracle is impossible to understand. All I can offer is my life story.
Have Faith, God Will Provide
As a young person, I prayed for a beautiful, loving wife and God answered my prayer. Thankfully, the bride of my youth still stands with me today. I prayed for a job to be able to support a family and God gave me a good one… and made me successful. I prayed for smart, healthy children and God gave me three. When my youngest daughter had multiple miscarriages, we prayed that God would heal her and God caused a curious ultrasound technician to find a bifurcated uterus. The doctors corrected this and now she has four children and I have six grandchildren. When my sister was diagnosed with leukemia, a disease for which people die, God healed her and she is still here today. Praise God!
I remember a time when I needed a new roof on my house… and God provided one… for free. I remember a time that I needed a new engine in my car… and God sent a Christian brother to install one. When I prayed for a family at church, who was facing homelessness, God gave them a home and a $30,000 interest-free loan. God has allowed us to give out 70 boxed-dinners on Sunday… for eight months straight. Where has the money come from? God put it in the hearts of people to donate.
Jobs, homes, babies, education, clothing, food, cars… God has provided more abundantly and above all that I could have hoped for or imagined.
God Performs Miracles
We read an important truth in Psalm 77:14, “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” It is true that God performs miracles, things that cannot be easily explained. He does it to display his power among the people. He desires to declare his majesty in our lives, so that others may see and know that he is God. Let me ask you this question, “Is the majesty of God at Christmas on display in your life?”
If the answer to my question is, “No.” Then, let me challenge you to be like Mary. In verse 30 of the scripture we just read, it says, “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God…’” So, there it is. It is that simple. What, did you miss it? We have to find favor with God. So, what is the formula for finding favor.
Send Me
A lot of people try to make the answer for gaining the favor of God complicated. But, I have read of all God’s favorites in the scriptures, and I have known many great servants of God. The one thing they all have in common is that they said, “Here am I. Send me!” When God gave them an assignment, they said, “Yes.” They may have resisted at first, like Isaiah, saying, “Lord, I am a man of unclean lips.” Or, like Moses, “I’m a stutterer.” Or, how about the story of Gideon? I love Gideon’s reply to God, “Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15). Wow!
If you desire to please God, this desire will cause you to say, “Yes.” If this desire is not in your heart, ask God to align your desires with his. Then, you will want to do what pleases God. Yes, it is that simple. Make your answer, “Here am I. Send me,” and you will find the majesty of God this Christmas.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see We Are Not Equal.
Lumbee Tribe
The first startling images of the New World came to Elizabethan England from the watercolor paintings of John White in 1585 (Tucker). No other Englishman had ever painted America. In addition to being the first governor of an English colony in America, White is also grandfather to the first English child born in America. This child, Virginia Dare, is my ancestor. The history of the Lumbee Tribe is characterized by the faithfulness of our forefathers.
Finding the Lost Colony
Raleigh’s plans to establish a permanent colony in the “new world” were beset by hardships. On his second attempt, he arrived too late in the year to plant crops (Dial, 2). When Governor John White left the colony in 1587, to return to England for supplies, he instructed the leaders to move the colony 50 miles inland if needed.
White was delayed in returning from England due to war with Spain. However, upon his return in 1590, he found no distress signal only the word Croatoan carved in capital letters on a post. White interpreted this as “. . .a certain token of their [the colonists] being at Croatan which is the place where Manteo was born . . .” (p. 4). Manteo was an Indian friendly to the colonists. However, White made a search, but he never found the Englishmen and never saw his granddaughter again.
Croatan Normal School
Fast forward 300 years to 1885: the year the North Carolina Legislature passed an Act recognizing the Indians of Robeson County as a separate race, giving them the name Croatan Indians. This name is a reference to the Indians who befriended “Sir Walter Raleigh’s Lost Colony.” The tribe would be rename Lumbee in 1956.
In 1887, the Legislature passed a separate Act establishing a Croatan Normal School for training teachers of the Croatan race to provide public education to Croatan children (Lowery, 98). This Act named four trustees. James E. Dial, my great, great, grandfather was one of them (p. 99). The school, which would later become the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, would become the oldest college founded by and for Native Americans in the United States.
Faithfulness is central to understanding God. Hebrews 11 provides the highlights for God’s story through the lives of the protagonists or God’s heroes. Faith describes the relationship between God and the heroes of faith.
Faithfulness On Display
Thanks to the faithfulness of men like James E. Dial, we now know the truth about the Lost Colony of Roanoke and the Lumbee Tribe. In a tribute, Clifton Oxendine said at Dial’s funeral, “It was soon learned by all that knew him that he cared more for his reputation as an honest man than he did for the mere praise of mankind” (Locklear). If only we had a watercolor painting of James E. Dial.
“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance . . . ”
Hebrews 11:13
Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear
Also, see What’s Your Calling.
What Is Your Calling?
A storybook career. As a young person, my Aunt Vivian always wanted to be a teacher. She accomplished this dream and retired after 36 years in the classroom, teaching mostly 2ndand 3rd grade. Even now, she says, “I love working with the kids,” so, she works part-time as a tutor. Her former students address her as Ms. Vivian when they see her around town, even though they are now adults. She answered her calling and God has used her talents to bless a community.
Answer Your Calling
Not everyone can say their career choice is a calling like my Aunt. In 1973, Ms. Vivian married my father’s brother, Dock Locklear Jr. She completed her teacher preparation in 1974, graduating with a teaching degree from Pembroke State University, now the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. That same year, she took a job teaching at Union Chapel Elementary School, where she spent her entire career. Ms. Vivian earned her Master’s degree in 1986 and served as the Assistant Principal and chairperson for school accreditation. Significantly, Ms. Vivian’s career has given her the opportunity to give back to a community that she loves.
In Ephesians 4:1, Paul explains that we should live a life worthy of the calling we have received. God has given each of us talents or gifts. Ms. Vivian is a talented educator. For my aunt, a Lumbee Indian, the opportunity to further develop her talents and attend the University of North Carolina at Pembroke was not by accident. The foundation was laid in 1887 with an Act by the State legislature establishing the Croatan Normal School for the purpose of training teachers of the Croatan race to provide public education to Croatan children in Robeson County (Lowery, 98). (The Croatans would later be given the name “Lumbee” by the State of North Carolina.) An amazing fact is that the 1887 Act named a four-member board of trustees. My great, great grandfather, James E. Dial was one of them. His name was written right into the law.
What Is a Normal School?
A “normal school” is a school created to train teachers with the additional purpose of establishing teaching standards or norms, hence the name. Most such schools are now called “teacher colleges.” With this Act, the legislature named a four-member governing board and appropriated $500 to pay for instructors (p. 98). This money would only be available to pay teachers if the Indians provided a building for the school. Reverend William (W. L.) Moore, a Waccamaw Indian from the Prospect community, led the effort to raise the additional funds to construct the facility for the school. Moore was the pastor of Prospect Methodist Church. Still in existence today, it is the largest congregation of Native American Methodists in the United States.
Two other trustees, named in the 1887 Act, were from Moore’s church: Preston Locklear and James Oxendine. To provide representation from more than one community, James E. Dial, my great, great grandfather was selected to represent the Saddletree community (p. 99). In the spring of 1888, the Croatan Indian Normal School welcomed its first class of 15 students. The school became the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the oldest college founded by and for Native Americans in the United States.
Brand New Possibilities
Often in life, we don’t know the role that God has planned for us until after the fact. However, we need to be open and even excited about the possibilities. I love the lyrics to the TobyMac song, Edge Of My Seat:
“You got me on the edge. I am on the edge of my seat, and I can feel the wonder rushing over me. You are opening my eyes. You’re opening my eyes, Lord, to brand new possibilities.”
It is my prayer that God opens possibilities in your life, so you will answer your calling and be able to look back, like my Aunt, and say God has given me a storybook career.
Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear
Bibliography
Lowery, Malinda Maynor. “The Lumbee Indians: an American Struggle.” Amazon, The University of North Carolina Press, 2018, http://www.amazon.com/Lumbee-Indians-American-Struggle-Lehman/dp/1469646374.
Definition of Respect
VIPs get to do lots of cool things that others don’t: preferred seating, swag bags, special parking, backstage passes. Who are your VIPs? 300 years ago, my ancestors, the Tuscrarora, were a matrilineal society, meaning the women were VIPs. History 101: What is the definition of respect?
Who are your VIPs?
Stepping Back In Time
Jane was up early to see off the hunting party before going back inside her great aunt’s longhouse.
Jane moved through the center aisle passing through one family after another, all to whom she was related. Her aunts longhouse had ten fires, at each fireplace were two families, one on one side, the other on the other, all together 20 families. While there were no chimneys, over each fireplace there was a door in the roof of the cabin to allow the smoke to escape. Unfortunately, this did not work effectively and smoke filled the interior, causing Jane to rub her burning eyes.
Finally, she found her great aunt filling a pot with dried, shelled corn.
“Can I help with anything?” Jane asked.
“Sure,” Great Aunt Annwaraogon answered. “You can help grind this corn to make hominy.”
As they worked, Jane cleared her throat, “Do you not agree that the English have no regard for us, only wishing to push us aside, like barking dogs.”
Jane knew that her aunt’s opinion held much weight with the chief.
Jane continued, “In their greed, their only concern is to snatch up our children and women to sell for them profits in the slave trade.”
Annwaroagon answered, “Not much to disagree with there. It is true that the English are dangerous to our way of life. But, there is no certainty that we would be successful against them. Successful or not, we would certainly lose many brave warriors. Fighting against the English would require us to adopt their way of warfare. We would need an endless supply of gun powder.”
Definition of Respect: Waiting
Jane held her jaw clenched, gritting her teeth and waiting for a chance to respond. Finally, she interjected, “Our goal would not be to destroy the English. No one thinks that this is possible, but we could teach them a lesson, making them think twice before entering our territory and claiming our land, or stealing our children.”
Annwaroagon was shaking her head slowly to this argument. “Fighting them is not like fighting our other enemies. The English are like the grain; there are more and more waves coming to us from across the ocean. I am afraid that any Tuscarora victory would only be short lived.”
Learn a lesson from Annearoagon, Long-term success is better than short-lived gain. The VIPs in our life have learned wisdom from life experiences. The definition of respect is doing what they know is best, even when we think our way is better.
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
1 Peter 2:17
The Advent Calendar. . . Hope
Advent, a tradition in many Christian churches, is a time of expectant waiting for the coming Christ. The purpose of Advent is to prepare our hearts and to remind us that December is not all about shopping and gift giving. The Advent calendar should focus us on the meaning of our celebration.
The Advent calendar is a reminder of another important Christian tradition, which recognizes the Bible’s focus on “social justice.” As Christians, we are called to protect the vulnerable, including the very young, the very old, the terminally ill, the disabled, the poor, and the unpopular. Social justice must also safeguard essential liberties rooted in human dignity and the belief that all people were created in God’s image.
God’s Priority At Christmas
God’s concern with the vulnerable was evident with the birth of his son to a poor dark-skinned palestinian-jewish teenage girl. Though from the line of David, Joseph and Mary were poor. Jesus was not born into royalty. Required to leave their home and travel to Bethlehem by a pagan, authoritarian ruler, we know they found no room in the inn. Yes, Jesus began his life as a homeless, foreigner.
The Gospel of Luke tell us that Jesus’ family gave the poor offering at the Temple to consecrate him (Luke 2:24). Unless you know the Old Testament background, the mention of a pair of doves as an offering is one that you might pass right over.
God, with his concern for the poor, stipulated a less expensive option for those unable to afford the regular offering. God chose a poor family for Jesus to be born into. Why not a family with more means? Because poor families were insiders to the target group. Jesus’ mission was a ministry to the poor and oppressed. It was in his mission statement written by the prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:16-21).
Often, we read scriptures like Galatians 3:28 that states, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (NIV) to mean that nothing else matters beyond our faith in Christ. Ironically, this verse shows that these things — race, ethnicity, culture — do matter. God recognizes the very public fact that there are laws, expectations, practices, and opinions oppressive to each distinction mentioned.
Starfish Story
A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.
She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”
The girl thought for a moment and then bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “Well, I made a difference for that one!” (adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley)
With Advent, the Starfish story reminds us that we can make a difference. We can provide hope. In so doing, we are preparing the way of the Lord.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew. 11:28).
If you like Advent & Starfish, check out the post Be Like Mary to discover how to find Gods favor this Christmas.
Copyright © 2019 Chuck Locklear
When Life Is a Hot Mess…
Everyone knows the highlights of David’s life: defeating the giant, becoming king over all Israel, and great military victories. Did you know, however, of the mess that was truly David’s life: intrigue and betrayal, setbacks and rejection, and trouble on all sides. So, what do we do when life is a hot mess?
Is your life a hot mess?
For David, everything went sour because of a song. As it spread, Saul, with his narcissistic personality, became greatly troubled.
When the men were returning home… the women came out from all the towns of Israel… singing and dancing… “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” —1 Samuel 18:6-7
On multiple occasions, he tried to kill David, causing David to flee, but Saul and his armies pursued him. Twice, while David was hiding out in caves, God gave Saul into his hands, but he spared Saul’s life, saying he could not harm God’s anointed.
It was obvious that David was not a threat, but that song stuck in Saul’s head.
Even when he learned of Saul’s death, David was not relieved. He grieved, and did something shocking. He killed the messenger, because he had helped Saul end his own life.
Keep your focus on excellence, a characteristic that showed up in David’s desire to do what was right.
We must move beyond having good intentions to having a Godly conviction. We must decide to please God daily. A conviction is stronger than an opinion. An opinion is a belief system that can change depending on the situation. We must commit to being transformers vs. conformers.
Conformers are people who mindlessly move through life, reacting to situations as they occur. Transformers are people whose lives are controlled by power from within. Messy life, do what is right… the only thing that will make you truly happy.
Is your life a hot mess? David’s was, yet he trusted God… we should too. God is greater than your mess. David’s song of praise is inspiring. “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” —2 Samuel 22:29
Also see Like King David.
Change Your Life
I vividly remember the day I had three female students and their parents sitting in my office at 7:00 a.m. one morning. As a high school principal, I would not normally have the parents of three students in my office at the same time, but this meeting was about poor life choices.
Change your choices and you will change your life.
Love Triangle
This early morning meeting occurred mid-way through the second semester after dealing with two of the girls fighting all year long with one another. Profane statements had been written on the bathroom walls. There had been name calling and general disruption to the educational environment. Of course, it was all over a boy…it usually is over a boy. It was a love triangle, and the assistant principal and I had worked all year to get this situation under control. Both students had been counseled and disciplined on several occasions. My staff spent many hours on this conflict.
The third student sitting in my office was a friend of the other two. She had introduced them to this boy…on social media. This boy was not a student at my school. In fact, he lived 2,000 miles away, in the state of Florida, about as far as you can get from Michigan. Indeed, the girls had never met him in person, but both were “in love.” I must admit, from his social media photo, he did appear to be attractive, with a compelling story, perhaps too good to be true.
A Big Surprise
The meeting began with the mother of the third student complaining. She did not understand why she and her daughter had been called into the office. She knew all about the conflict, stating, “It is very silly and has gotten way out of hand.” I interrupted her and began sharing the facts that I had uncovered while investigating this on-going conflict. Then, I got to the bottom line. I had discovered that the love interest of the fighting girls was not a real person. The third girl and a boy she knew had created him. This boy was afraid that his girlfriend, someone unconnected to the two love-struck students in my office, was cheating on him. The fake boy from Florida was just a test for her.
You should have seen the attitude of the third girl’s mother abruptly change. In an instant, she went from indignant to outrage. She stood up and began talking and pointing at her daughter. “You just wait until I get you home.” She looked at me. I nodded, indicating that the meeting was over. She grabbed her daughter and left. I was left to console the two heartbroken students. The important lesson was that things are not always as they appear.
Change Your Choices, Change Your Life
After more than three decades as a school administrator, business manager, and church lay leader, I have learned some valuable lessons about making decisions. These are lessons that I have learned, sometimes the hard way, over many years. None more important than this; change your choices and you will change your life.
“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”
Proverbs 3:13-14
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Brain Development.
Camel Rides
No, Jesus was not American. He lived in the Middle East, where seeing a camel was not an unusual. Surprisingly, this trips up many Americans. We often let our nationalistic or religious pride get in the way of our understanding of God.
Common Misconceptions
There are many common beliefs that Christians get tripped up on. Here’s one, “God helps those who help themselves.” It is one of the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible. Ben Franklin first printed this saying in Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757.
In some practical ways, the concept “God helps those who help themselves” is helpful. God is faithful; He expects faithfulness.
Some of us fall into the trap of inactivity. We ask God for help, but then expect God to do everything himself. Our excuse is that God will provide according to his will and in his timing. We use God as an excuse for our inactivity. A better approach would be, if you are in need of a job, ask the Lord to help you and then be active in actually looking for a job. While it is in God’s power to do so, my experience is that God will not cause employers to come looking for you.
Just Like Our Father
Jesus explained that the motivation for loving others and doing good was not to get something out of it. The reason we should treat others with love is because we are to be just like our Heavenly Father, who shows love even to those who are ungrateful (Luke 6:35-36). Jesus said that it is no big deal to show love to those whom love you. It is no big deal to give to others when you expect that you will be paid back. Think about it, this is the attitude of the mafia, politicians, and everyone else in the world. If we live in this way, we are not standing apart from the world—we are just like the world.
People often say to me, “You are just like your dad.” Indeed, it is easy to see the family resemblance. I’m proud to be like my dad.
No Camel, No Worries
We should have a desire to show a family resemblance. No camel, no worries. People should be able to look at the way we act and the way that we live and say, “there is no denying that you are a child of God.” This doesn’t come naturally, so we have to make an effort. We’ll need to ask God for help to demonstrate Godly character, even when we don’t feel like it.
No, Jesus was not an American. So, most of us don’t likely look much like him. But, the family resemblance should be easily seen in our character. Maybe, you’ve never ridden a camel, but the way you live can reflect that you are a child of God.
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
If you like Camel Rides, you might also like Victorious Living.
