Enough already!
No one will blame you for skipping tonight’s evening news or unplugging your Fox News app. Today’s headlines of terrorism, racial tensions, and corrupt politics are disruptive, disgusting, and depressing. And tomorrow’s news could be even worse!
So, when life’s problems make you feel like screaming and shouting, do the “man thing.” Scream and shout!
That’s what I encouraged eight Leaders in Training students to do in our “theology” lesson last week. More specifically, they were instructed to find an accountability partner, an uninterruptable location, and their favorite Bible. I supplied the text: Isaiah 40.
Rather than just reading through it, the assignment called for preaching through the passage – southern Gospel style! Without disrespecting the words of God, the students were to give full voice and un-throttled passion to the word-for-word, line-by-line reading of this amazing chapter. Quoting my seminary preaching prof, I taught them to, “Start low and go slow; run higher and raise fire!”
The response is always the same. Always! Spirits soar. Fears dissolve. Faith ignites.
There’s just something amazingly transformational about giving voice to an accelerating and exhilarating vision of an awesome, Sovereign, and ginormous God!
By the time you get to the “grand finale” after comparing the world’s greatest “powers” against the Almighty’s total supremacy, how can you not scream and shout with the prophet:
“’Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O (insert your name here), my way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God?’ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth! He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength!! They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint!!!
I don’t have to tell you that more bad news is coming your way. When it does, face it like a man.
Upcoming Men’s Events:
Father – Daughter (& Grandpa) Retreat – September 9 – 11
Men’s Retreat – September 16 – 18
