Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Football Game. . .

Way back in the mid 1970's, I was in Bible School, and busily preparing myself for the work that I do even till today.  Shortly after starting school, I had to make a trip to Oklahoma to pick up a car that my uncle had painted for me.

Once the car was picked up, I set off for McCrory Arkansas, where I had an appointment to speak at a church on Friday night, and again on Sunday morning.  On the way to this appointment, my vehicle broke down and I ended up being towed into Ozark Arkansas.  I was taken to the Ford Dealer, where they thought they had fixed the car, and sent me on my way.  As dark approached, I headed out of town. . . .only to break down again about 15 miles away.



I called the same wrecker to come and get me, and he took me back to town. . .but the Ford Dealer was closed for the night.  So, I ended up staying at the Ozark Motel.  Now remember, this was in the mid 70's, in a small town motel.  The room had a bed and bathroom, a TV and dresser, and a small table and chair.  And it cost me the grand sum of $8.00 for the night!

Across the parking lot was a Tastee Freeze Drive In, so I walked over there, got me some supper, and went back to my room.

I was excited because it was Thursday night, and the Dallas Cowboys were playing a game that night on Thursday night Football.  I had my night all planned out.  I was going to go back to my room with my Burger from the drive in, and sprawl out on the bed and watch my Cowboys, led by Roger Staubach, win another game.  (Sorry, but I have ALWAYS been a Cowboys fan. . . thick or thin. . . LOL)

I got back to my room. . . turned on the TV. . . and went over to the bed.  I drug the table over by the bed and was relaxing and settling in.  Just about to take a bite of my burger, I realized the TV hadn't come on yet.  (Remember, this was back in the day when you turned on the TV, and waited for it to warm up.)

I waited a moment or two more, and then went over to the TV and did what you ALWAYS did during that era. . . I banged on the side of the TV.  NOTHING!  Now, I was in a panic!  My game was about to start and I was going to miss the kick off.  "How could the Hotel have a room where the TV didn't work?  After all. . . I paid 8 bucks for this room, and it should have a working TV for that price!"

I called the front desk. . . No answer!  I hit the TV again!  No result!  I turned it on and off several times. . .STILL NOTHING!   ARRRGGGGHHHHHHHH! ! ! ! !

I finally decided that I had to do something, so I ran up to the office, and found the Manager.  I told him my TV wasn't working and could I PLEASE get another room or another TV.  He was very nice and friendly and told me he would take care of it.

I went back to my room and waited.  A few moments later, he showed up with another TV.  He walked in, looked around a moment, and said. . . "I think I found the problem Sir."  And with that, he reached down and PLUGGED THE TV INTO THE WALL OUTLET!  The TV instantly sprang to life (Just in time for the Kick off!).



At this point, I felt like I was six inches tall!  I apologized to the man, who laughed and smirked, and left with a chuckle.

I have never forgotten that experience.

First off, that I got so upset and out of sorts over a game on TV.

And Secondly, because the problem was so simple.  The TV just needed to be plugged into the power!

Isn't that the way things are in our lives sometimes?  We wonder why our life isn't working.  We become frustrated when things don't go our way.  We catch ourselves yelling at the top of our voices. . ."WHY! ! ! ? ? ? "

And yet, many times we are simply not plugged into the Power source.  What is that Power source you ask?

The only place we receive power, the only place we can turn to end the frustration and lack of things working out. . . is God!  He is our Power Source!

Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"


Do you get that?  HE can cause us to go beyond our wildest imagination. . . according to HIS Power that is at work within us!  God is the Power Source!  And He can do GREAT things with us. . . if we are plugged in.


When I look back on my life at the times I have messed things up the most, it is most often due to the fact that I am not plugged into His power.  Instead, I am trying to do things according to MY POWER.  (And I don't even have the "power" to plug in a Television Set!)


When our journey brings us to times when things aren't working right. . . perhaps before we get all excited and try to fix it ourselves, or try to get others to fix it for us, we should see if we are plugged into the TRUE and ONLY power source.



God's power will sustain us!  God's power will energize us!  God's power will see us through!

So don't get excited when things go wrong on your journey.  Just make sure you are plugged in!

See you on the Road!

STEVE

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