Are You Willing?

 

We (and I’m using that term very loosely) have almost molded this world into our own image and have it just the way we want it. We can satisfy all our desires, fulfill all our pleasures, feed our fragile egos, do our own thing and no one cares, even if what we do is at the expense of others. The hurt, the heartbreak, the unhappiness we cause others is not important, so long as we come out on top. That is where the world seems to be today. I want to go on record to proclaim – That’s not where I live!!

At a Stanford University commencement ceremony, then Professor David Kennedy, spoke of the “Old West” – specifically, about the regions where the railroad had not yet reached, and people still traveled by stagecoach. Stagecoach lines in those days offered three levels of ticket: First-class, Second-class and Third-class. If you bought a First-class ticket you were guaranteed (or your money back) you would arrive on time after a comfortable ride while enjoying all the amenities offered. A Second-class ticket guaranteed arrival, but also stated that in the case of difficulty en route – a mud slide that might have blocked the road or a broken axle on the wagon – you might be asked to stand-by aside the road for a period of time while the problem is remedied. A Third-class ticket carried the stipulation that in case of difficulty en route, the holder of such a ticket would be expected to get out, go to the back of the coach and help push it through the mud, use a shovel if needed, remove cargo to lighten the load (then repack the cargo) or even help lift the coach to enable repairs. Then Professor Kennedy said, “Even though you have a first class education from a first class college, don’t take the first class or even the second class route through life. Go third class. Get out and make things happen. Put your shoulder to the wheel. Do the heavy lifting. Roll up your sleeves. Spit on your hands and get to work!” In fact, Jesus said that if you want to have a first class life, the only way is to travel third class. “…the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (Luke 22:24-27).

[Ester 3&4] When Queen Ester was faced with pleading the cause of the Jew, and perhaps losing the love of the king, she could have reasoned much as does the world: “Right now the king loves me. He chose me from a large number of qualified women. He’ll never permit them to kill me, not even if he does learn that I am a Jew. Why should I jeopardize what I have going for me? After all, I have no assurance that he will save all those people just because I ask him. And after all, did not Mordecai himself say that if I do not ask the king, someone else will be raised up to defend their cause (Ester 4:13-14)? God, I’ve got it too good. Will you please get someone else?” Mordecai was right. God can always get someone else. God could have gotten someone else: *…to be the father of His nation, but Abraham was willing. *…to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but Moses was willing. *…to direct His armies, but David was willing. *…to pave the way for Christ, but John the baptizer was willing. *…to preach the sermon in Acts 7, but Stephen was willing. *…to be the apostle to the Gentiles, but Paul was willing. Have you noticed all the great men and women we read about in the Bible are those who were willing to do whatever God wanted them to do, regardless of the cost to them personally?

Unreasonable taxation, freedom of speech, religious rights (especially Christianity), capitalism – all the things our fore-fathers fought and died for, are on the line this very day, under fire by those who wish to destroy the United States of America. Are you willing to stand and assure we get to celebrate another Independence Day?