August 04, 2024
by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: Philippians 4:6–7
PAUL WANTED TO BE IN HEAVEN but needed to be on earth. In a temporal sort of way, this time of year, I share his frustration.
PAUL WANTED TO BE IN HEAVEN but needed to be on earth. In a temporal sort
of way, in the time of year coming up, I share his frustration.
I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and
watch the NFL . . . yet to remain in the pulpit is more necessary for your
sake.
PHILIPPIANS 1:23–24, SWINDOLL PARAPHRASE
Now don't get me wrong. I love to preach. But I also love professional
football. With only minor adjustments, both "loves" can be maintained
without much difficulty, but on Sundays when there's a big game, I freely
admit, I have a conflict. I've thought of all sorts of alternative plans:
Have church on Saturday.
Have the guys in the booth broadcast the game into an earphone in my ear.
Ask an usher to signal the score periodically.
Have only singing in the second service.
Call in sick.
As you'll notice, each "solution" has its problems. Conflicts lead to
frustration—especially the ones much more serious than the one I just
described. Often, you're left with the feeling of being "blocked" from
doing what you want to do because of something you must do. Subtract the
power of Christ, the wisdom of His Word, the calming presence of the Holy
Spirit, and you have unbearable collisions that lead to unbelievable
tragedies.
I do have one solution that will at least ease the burden of conflict when
consistently applied: prayer. Paul wrote,
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what
you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's
peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6–7
There's no substitute for bringing everything—especially those thorny
conflicts—to the Lord and then experiencing His indescribable peace.