Where are you?

Where are you?

Adam was told to “tend and keep the garden”, and “not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. We know that didn’t happen, and how terrible it has been every since (we would have done the same thing). “Then the Lord God called to Adam and said, Where are you?”

Where are you? Do you think for 1 minute that God didn’t know where he was? Or how to find him? Maybe God’s GPS was broke? Give me a break. Don’t forget He is omniscient (all-knowing).

So let me ask “Where are you?” With what He has placed in your hand, in your heart, given you the ability to accomplish, made you the watchman over, etc. How are you handling your resources? Are your dreams going anywhere? Let’s be honest, How is your neighbor? Do you know? Are you leading well? Where are you with all that?

I’ll tell you where we need to be, we need to be deep in love with Him (song by Michael W. Smith “Deep in love with You”) If we are deep in love with Him, we won’t have a problem with the things in the above paragraph.

Wouldn’t it be great when one day we stand before God and He says, “ Remember on April 19, 2009, I cried out, Where are you?” and He recorded your response as Deep in love with You. Our highest calling is to fall prostrate before Him (worship). I would encourage you to let go of things that have you and fall deep. Quit hiding and do what He wants. What He wants is you.

Role Models?

     Recently we all have heard about Michael Phelps pot-smoking gaffe. He said that his behavior was “regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment” which I believe is true. He also said that he “acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me”. I never knew Michael until he won the gold medals in the Olympics, and I would venture to say that is true for most of you. Even though I know who he is, I sure don’t know him enough to say what kind of actions that I would expect of him. How do you expect people to act that you don’t know?

      Michael said in one of the news articles that his “actions were not acceptable being the role model that he is”. Just because Michael is a great swimmer doesn’t make him a great role model. As far as swimming goes he is the best role model, I definitely will not take that from him. I think that we need to look at the definition of a role model :A person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate. According to the definition he doesn’t have to be that in every area. He’s not known for his private life (morals, character, integrity, etc.) but for his public life (swimming), please let me repeat that SWIMMING. What about your private life? Can I follow you around with a camera? Do you want the world to look into it? I doubt it. But there is someone watching, GOD and He sent the greatest role model to dwell among us. That’s right the All-time undisputed undefeated Champion of Love, none other than  JESUS. He stands alone when it comes to role models.

     I have really thought about this “role model” thing in the last two years ( I have had two boys in the last 2 years). Man I have to admit at times I am not worthy of being their role models. Lord please help me!!! There are some things about me that are good but there are some things that are not. How about you? We need God’s grace (Jesus). I guess it’s like this. Soldiers are a role model for freedom. Pastors and Priests are role models for religion. Athletes for sports. Parents for children (good or bad). Politicians for ? (just kidding we do have some good ones). But one things for sure Jesus is a great role model for all of us, in every area.  

     Michael maybe you have a standard to meet for the Olympic committee, or your sponsors, but not for me. I love you just the way you are and I used to do worse than that. But that was before I met the Savior. Keep swimming great, enjoy life, and pray for His guidance.

 

Patrick