These Boots Were Made For Preaching
"I see you always wear boots when you preach." That was the statement made to me by a member at the South Stokes Church of Christ in King, NC. I was holding a meeting for them that week, and on the last night of the meeting, he and his wife had taken my bride and me to supper.
"Yes sir," I replied, "that is pretty much all I wear." He asked me what size I wore and I told him. He went on to explain that he had a brand new pair of Justin Ropers he wanted me to try. After services that evening I tried them on for size, and they fit. When I asked what he wanted for them, he said, "They are yours." As it turns out, he and his wife had bought them for their son's birthday the previous year. Their son, who was about my age, was killed in an automobile accident and they never got to give him those boots.
"Knowing you will be wearing them when you preach the Gospel would mean the world to me," he said.
In Exodus 13:3-10, the Almighty gave the Feast of the Passover to His people to remind them of what He had done, and to remind them to be faithful because of His blessing. In Genesis 28:18ff, Jacob anointed a stone to remind him of his vows to God. In Joshua 22, the tribes on the East side of the Jordan built a memorial for their sons to remind themselves of their responsibilities as God's children. In I Samuel 7, Samuel set up a stone as a reminder of what the Lord had done.
Of course, we also have such a memorial. In Matthew 26:22ff, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper as a reminder of His sacrifice: a reminder that should stir us to be faithful. Perhaps there are other things you have accumulated that help reminds you of the importance of being faithful to God. Be it a Bible from a deceased family member, a picture of your baptism, or some other item that reminds you of your walk with the Lord. Cherish those subtle reminders and allow them to help you to remember.
Every time I put on those Justin Ropers I am reminded again of the precious gift that was given to me by two grieving parents. Every time I put them on, I am also reminded of the expectations of a father that I would be faithful to the Lord and His ministry while I wear them. It is one more reminder from the Father, who expects me to be faithful to Him and the ministry He has given me!
"How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" (Romans 10:15).
The 950th Time Is A Charm
Grandmother Cha Sa-Soon lived alone in a remote mountain village in South Korea. She always wanted to learn to drive but didn't try to get a license until she was in her 60's.
She failed the written part of the driving test, not once, twice, or 10 times, but 949 times.
Having never driven, a lot of the test terminology was new to her, but she refused to quit. Finally, on her 950th try, she got a passing grade. On the actual "road test" she only failed 4 times before getting passing marks.
By this time, all of Korea knew about her persistence. Her triumph was celebrated and she became a national hero. She was even given a Kia Soul and appeared in one of their commercials.
All because of she wouldn't give up.
Who besides Grandmother Cha Sa-Soon has ever had to take a driving test 950 times before passing it? And who besides Grandmother Cha Sa-Soon has ever become a national hero for passing the written part of a driving test?
The more difficult the test, the sweeter it is when we finally prevail.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9).
Clapping Together
There’s a wonderful story about Jimmy Durante, one of the great entertainers of a generation ago. He was asked to be a part of a show for World War II veterans. He told them his schedule was very busy and he could afford only a few minutes, but if they wouldn’t mind his doing one short monologue and immediately leaving for his next appointment, he would come. Of course, the show’s director agreed happily.
But when Jimmy got on stage, something interesting happened. He went through the short monologue and then stayed. The applause grew louder and louder and he kept staying. Pretty soon, he had been on fifteen, twenty, then thirty minutes.
Finally he took a last bow and left the stage. Backstage someone stopped him and said, “I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?”
Jimmy answered, “I did have to go, but I can show you the reason I stayed. You can see for yourself if you’ll look down on the front row.” In the front row were two men, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost his right arm and the other had lost his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that’s exactly what they were doing, loudly and cheerfully.
Tim Hansel is the founder of Ignite!, an organization striving to motivate, encourage, and empower people. He is a popular speaker and seminar leader, and author of several books.
What we can't do alone, we can accomplish together--and the results are nothing less than inspiring!
"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (Ephesians 4:16).
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