Pastor's Post 9/9/2022

Dear Shiloh Family,

     It had been a while since I was part of the grandstand at a high or middle school football game, and I had forgotten how entertaining and embarrassing it could be outside the fence.  

     Recently, a friend and I witnessed a competition of rage, ignorance, and borderline insanity. A large gent with an even larger voice was yelling at his son to tackle the quarterback, while the coach was instructing him to stay back and cover the receiver.  Undoubtedly, his son was a receiver on offense because he was continually screaming, “
He's open!  Throw it, can’t you see him?  You’ve got to be kidding me.”  All the while, coach dad was oblivious to the fact that the little quarterback wasn’t throwing the ball to anyone because he was too busy running for his life.

     Down the fence, a sweet sister was bellowing for the defensive line to “get their hands on somebody and block.” For those who don’t know a lot about football, the d-line doesn’t block, they tackle.  Her son must have been the safety because if he didn’t tackle that boy this time, he wasn’t getting supper.   

   Standing right beside us was a young dad who made profanity an art form.  I mean, he took it to a new level.  He was fluent and quite creative.  Occasionally, some of it was actually relevant to the happenings on the field.  His wife was not impressed, and spent most of the game trying to find the proverbial hole to hide in.  

     Perhaps the most culturally revealing event was manifested through the drama of a mom and cheerleader.  The halftime entertainment was the cheerleading squad performing cartwheels, round-offs, handsprings, and back flips.  They were incredible!  I was so impressed with their athleticism and enthusiasm, and they were having a ball. Then, out of the stands pranced (I use that term loosely) the mom of the year to the sideline fence.

     “Get over here right now,” she shouted.

     “But Mom, the team is doing this for halftime entertainment.”

     Mom was unbending.  “I don’t care what the team is doing.  I’ve spent too much money for lessons for you to get injured out there.  And besides, you have a competition on Saturday.”

     The young lady was pleading, “Mom, I’ll be careful, this will be good practice. I love doing this with my team. 

     “I told you; I don’t care about that team.  If you do one more flip, I’ll come out there and drag you off.”

     I couldn’t believe it.  My wise young friend shook his head and said, “Pastor, that’s where we are as a society, isn’t it?”  I totally agreed.

1 Peter 1:22-23

22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,  NKJV

John 15:12

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. KJV

     As I contemplated the aforementioned events, and all those terrible people, I was humbled and convicted.  The Lord reminded me of the times I have been frustrated with church members, friends, and family for not performing the way I thought they should have.  He shook me to recall how my arrogance had driven me to the point of frustration, criticism, and often condemnation.  My heavenly Father reminded me that like those young athletes needed encouragement and support, adults are no different. 

     Maybe the greatest lesson learned was that He is the great commander. My Lord has the ultimate game plan, even though I might not understand or agree.  I was forced to swallow pride and acknowledge that God often works differently than I expect, and He doesn’t need my approval.  God is always working His plan.  It is my/our lot to love and trust Him, and love and encourage people.  Love God, love people.  I encourage one and all to seek His face, and read His play book, the Bible.

Matt 22:37-39

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. KJV

Love is seldom revealed in words, but often in actions.      

God bless you all,

Pastor Derrell