Proverbs 25:19 (ESV) 19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
There is a truism in football that has been taught for decades. It was one of the first things that I as a budding young football player many years ago, was taught by my irate at he time,football coach. What's that you say? It is called a "lookout block." What is that Ronnie? Well, it is when a pass play is called and the lineman or linemen misses their blocking responsibility. As the QB (Quarterback) takes his drop, the lineman or linemen that missed their block, turn around and yell "LOOKOUT" to the quarterback because he is getting ready to be blind sided and deposited on his back. It does not sit well with quarterbacks, especially ones that make millions of dollars throwing a football. Neither does it play with coaches; whose million dollar paychecks are determined by how well the team performs every Sunday in the win column. If the aforementioned lineman is responsible for too many of these lookout blocks, he will find himself riding the pine or worse,out of a job.
You know we all need lookouts in our lives. A lookout is someone who watches an area and warns others of approaching danger. Family, pastors, hopefully they all perform the function of a lookout in our lives. In a perfect world, we all are connected and have each other's back. Unfortunately, ours is not a perfect world is it? Nope 'fraid not.' Occasionally, we have those that turn at us just before the freight train rolls over us, and yell "LOOKOUT" when they have missed their block. Most times by then, it is too late and we are staring up from he ground trying to figure out what pancaked us. We have all been the recipients of lookout blocks from others in our lives. And, if the truth were known, we have been guilty of our fair share of missed assignments.
But, it's when we keep getting blind sided by someone that maybe we should begin to exercise some caution. I remember a time in my life that I kept getting blind sided by someone very dear to me. You know how it goes don't you? You experience the range of emotions. Anger, frustration, resentment, worry and sadness. You seek out the comfort and counsel of others as you opine the reason(s) why the person or persons are behaving in such a manner. Sometimes it helps, most times it doesn't. Then all of a sudden you pick up the phone or answer the knock at the door, knowing that bad news is coming, and you find yourself numb. You have been hit so many times that you are now desensitized. It doesn't shock or hurt, you are numb and unfeeling. You are at a crossroad and many times the enemy or a well wishing friend will put you on a guilt trip because you DON'T feel anything. It's not tht you don't want to feel something, it's the fact that your "feeling tank" is empty. You got nothing left. And herein lieth the lesson.
Look carefully at this verse.
Jeremiah 17:5 (ESB) 5 Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.
Now ,this is a very negative verse. But, there is a positive flip side to it. Bear with me please. Let me be honest and transparent with you here. In the distant and not so distant past, I have spent MUCH precious time venting my frustration and anger to friends and enemies alike. I have blown up cell phones complaining to anyone unlucky enough to have answered my call. I have mounted my soapbox at the office water cooler looking for consolation and comfort, rarely, if ever finding anything more than temporary relief.
When literally,at wit's end, stomach churning and roiling, angry at EVERYTHING, I am given pause. A still,small voice enters my head and reminds me of the above verse. Yes,the above verse. And then the wisdom from above starts flowing.
No, God is not eternally cursing me for reaching out to people in time of need. We allow ourselves to be cursed don't we? How so Ronnie? Well, we walk around like a time bomb, ready to explode. Angry, resentful,and hurt,we end up taking it out on some poor schmuck who just happens to pass by and wish us well. Then we feel nothing, all emotion wrung out of us.We can't find any relief or a solution because we keep on looking to people, the flesh, instead of God. Sound familiar? Well, maybe not to you, but, believe me, I can relate.
God is waiting with outstretched arms; and, in the words of Elsa of Frozen fame,(thanks to Maddie Grace and Chloe for the help with Elsa) the Lord is saying "LET IT GO." You feelin'me here?
Brothers and sisters, we get hurt by others and we hurt others. We blind side and in turn,we get blind sided. That, in a nutshell, is a part of the human condition, and will remain so until Jesus comes back. We have a choice. We can put our trust and confidence in the flesh, or we can turn it over to God Almighty and let it go. Read a little further in Jeremiah.
This is what God, in His infinite patience and mercy, tries to get on the inside of your's truly.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV) 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
LET IT GO.
Psalm 4:1 (ESV) 1
God Bless
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