It has been said that some of the most impactful lessons we learn in life are often learned “the hard way.” We learn that fire burns, the law of gravity cannot be defied for long, and that rules are not made to be broken – often times, “the hard way.” Fortunately, we also come to understand that the lessons we learn “the hard way” are never forgotten, and are hopefully never to be repeated.
AtkinsLast month I had just finished a round of interviews in Columbia, and was getting ready to make my way back home. Before leaving the Convention Building, I took off my cuff links, my watch, and my North Greenville College graduation ring and placed them all in my change holder. I knew that in just a few days I would need to put them back on again for church services, and I never gave another thought about their location. The following Sunday I pulled in at the church and put on my cuff links, my watch, and then I made a horrible discovery.
The previous day I had taken my car to be serviced and failed to remove all of my valuables before sending it through the line. The sign clearly stated that the owner of the business was not responsible for any contents left in the vehicles. Even though I had been there several times and had read that sign almost every time I sat in the line waiting, I chose to not put into practice the message that was clear. Because of that decision, I have learned a very valuable lesson “the hard way.” The graduation gift that my mom and dad sacrificed to provide for me has now been lost. The scrap gold value of that ring could never compare to the sentimental value that the ring has for me now as my dad is battling stage 4 renal cell carcinoma.
My friends, whenever we are given a message of warning, we should take that message very seriously. Jesus gives us all a very clear warning about our enemy and his plan for our lives in John 10:10a when He says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy -?.” Make no mistakes about the warning that we see in this text. There is a thief who has a threefold plan for every one of us who desire to have Great Commission Living in our lives. Our enemy desires to steal our hope, kill our joy, and destroy our usefulness to God in 2012, and in the years to come.
Great Commission Living brings with it a greater desire from our enemy to see us not only fail, but to see us learn lessons “the hard way” if we try to do this in our own strength and in our own abilities. We must remember the words recorded in Proverbs 3:5-6 that tells us to “trust in the?Lord?with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct?your paths.” If we will follow these instructions, we will not have to learn “the hard way” that He is our only true source, and our one true guide, as we strive for Great Commission Living in 2012.
– Atkins is pastor of Powdersville First Baptist Church and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.