WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ENTITLEMENT - 05/27/2020

     

"Sometimes people take it for granted that they have success, especially nowadays when you have instant stardom. A lot of people feel entitlement and nobody is entitled to anything." -Donny Osmond

 

For 5 weeks, NBA fans were treated to "The Last Dance" a fascinating documentary on the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) player, Michael Jordan. Jordan won 6 NBA Championships, 10 Scoring Titles, 5 MVP trophies, and a number of other accolades in the '80s and '90s. We saw a driven competitor, a man with sporting excellence, revolutionize the way basketball is viewed around the world. The Jordan brand became a marketing and economic machine that has made him a

billionaire and the most recognized athlete in history. This feat was all the more remarkable for a dark-skinned Black man rising just 20 years after the US Civil Rights legislation passed. In our current volatile racial climate, what Frank Sinatra said just might be true, "The best revenge is massive success." Part of me wonders if some of what we're experiencing is backlash over the strength and splendor of Black men. Maybe we need more MJ's, who didn't get distracted by race or politics but chose to focus on becoming great and building an empire. Jordan had lots of flaws, but one intriguing opinion he shared about players of his time versus now is that he and his contemporaries had to work hard to earn salaries and endorsement deals. They had to win championships, gold medals, and scoring titles - to PROVE their worth - BEFORE they were considered for millions of dollars in compensation. Players nowadays he said, are being paid 'for potential,' receiving millions of dollars and endorsements when 'they've done nothing yet.' Something to think about, isn't it? Times have changed. 

 

ENTITLEMENT is the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. Whether we're talking about younger generations, or some of the more privileged members of our society, folks think, "I deserve to have a better life." "I'm entitled to a high salary, a great house, a car and world travel."  "I'm allowed to treat others this way." This is not just an issue in the world, but in the Church where we've forsaken the truth of what it means to follow Christ. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) "...those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." (Luke 14:33b) Instead of losing or laying down our lives for Christ and each other, we're obsessed with defending and protecting ourselves and remaining in our comfort zones. Or we're also frustrated with God for not giving us the gain or fame we think we're entitled to...when we think we're entitled to it. Selah... 

   

Entitlement is lethal. It leads to spiritual erosion. We believe we have rights to something that: A) Is not God's will for us, B) We are not willing to sacrifice for, C) We have not heard from God, exercised faith and used disciplined to pursue, D) We have not been equipped or discipled for, or E) We believe our privilege alone should get us. Those who have invested decades of blood, sweat, and tears walking by faith just to know God and be in His presence. Or those who have endured great suffering and trial to fight injustice and be where they are now, have learned like Abraham that only the LORD is "our shield and our exceedingly great reward." (Genesis 15:1) The humble truth is... whatever we have, we received it from God. (1 Cor. 4:7), so no boasting! The real privilege of Christ-followers is to give our lives for the sake of the Gospel, to follow Jesus, and to serve the LORD.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - METTLE - 05/20/2020 - Sadell Bradley

     

"As an actor, I'm always interested in my characters getting into trouble, because conflict is, you know, the great determiner of someone's mettle." 

-Mary Wiseman

 

I've said before that I have never aspired to be a leader. Over the years I've tried to avoid it by giving GOD my 'reasons' (excuses). I'm not ready, single, married, not qualified, a woman, too young, too old... any argument to say no to or at least delay the next level of leading. This might be an anomaly in a world where many seem to desire platforms. Since the pandemic has made us all engage virtually, I've had to face my fear of doing videos, over and over again. It's super uncomfortable. God is also using inter-personal conflicts; equipping and confronting leaders; facing myself and my past; and navigating the turbulence of being an African-American female clergywoman...to test and strengthen my METTLE - a person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way. There are a lot of spiritual, mental, and emotional ups and downs, but God assures me that what I've been experiencing is preparing me for the future He has in store.  

 

It's a little comforting to know that I'm not alone in this struggle. Moses, Gideon, Saul, Esther, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, even Mary had questions as to why God was choosing them; how they could do what they were being asked with their glaring deficiencies and challenging circumstances; whether God would really be with them; and when He would finally show up. Some of them questioned and challenged the LORD, others hid in fear. The study above by Forbes.com in 2016 showed that about 40% of the population believes that people generally want to remain in the status quo versus reaching for something better. Why? because just to change oneself is hard without being a leader. Leadership is really difficult, it's often thankless, and it takes mettle. I guess that's why they say it's lonely at the top...or in the front. 

 

A shepherd goes before their sheep into uncharted territory to find green pastures and still waters for them, which is a lonely proposition. They care for the souls of their sheep- their emotional, and mental well being. Shepherds use their rods to correct and their staves for gathering and comfort. They venture first through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23) Jesus, the Good Shepherd, holds a relationship with His sheep of mutual knowledge and deep communication. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. They hear His voice and follow.. He faces the wolves and is willing to lay down His life for them. (John 10) We as under-shepherds have the assignment to lead like Jesus. We hold this call dearly and in reverence. It requires METTLE.   

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - LESSON- 05/13/2020 Sadell Bradley

 

   

"I have learned from personal experience that putting trust in God means there will be unanswered questions. That was a hard lesson for me because I naturally want to understand everything...to know what's going on so I feel like I'm in control." - Joyce Meyer

 

Failure is a lesson learned. Success is a lesson applied. I don't know who said this, but it sounds like something my mom, a 27-year elementary teaching veteran, would have told me. A LESSON is an amount of teaching given at one time; a thing learned or experienced by a student; an occurrence, example, or punishment that serves or should serve to warn or encourage; admonish or rebuke. The phrase 'to teach someone a lesson' means to punish or hurt someone as a deterrent. The phrase 'to learn one's lesson' means to acquire a greater understanding of the world through a particularly unpleasant or stressful experience. This pandemic; changes to our church, work, and family life; politics; and the Ahmaud Arberry shooting... are all offering up some pretty strong lessons. I wonder what we've learned?

I am a huge fan of not learning lessons the hard way. I would much rather glean from the negative experiences of others than have to hit a painful wall myself. Sadly, I don't always obey the LORD or use wisdom as I should. In the book of Mom Chapter 1:1, it says, "A hard head makes a soft behind!" You'll get that later. Proverbs 19:25 tells us, "If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser." Lessons are very valuable to the Believer. Jesus explained to His disciples, "I'm telling you this so that you will have PEACE..." (John 16:33) He had a reason for giving us those instructions. Disobedience, rebellion, poor judgment...all bring inner turmoil. There's nothing worse than failing a spiritual class and earning a 'do-over' for yourself.  It's worse than having to write, "I will learn my lesson," on a chalkboard 100 times...although chalk screeching is an experience that will definitely cause you to repent.

How do you respond when God is teaching you a lesson through a circumstance or a relationship? with HUMILITY - a modest or low view of your own importance. Apostles Peter and James said, "God
resists/opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6-7; 1Peter 5:5-6) Maybe the stress you're feeling is God opposing you. The remedies the Apostles offer are to: 'submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you,' or to 'humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time.'  That means the quickest way to get back up is to first really get down...as low as you can... repent, turn, and obey. Regret and lessons are real...but so are forgiveness and restoration!    

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PRESSURE - 05/06/2020 Sadell Bradley

"When poor people get involved in a long conflict, such as a strike or a civil rights drive, and the pressure increases each day, there is a deep need for spiritual advice. Without it, we see families crumble, leadership weaken, and hard workers grow tired." - Cesar Chavez   "Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise."- Kobe Bryant I was listening to the PBS news show Amanpour & Co., featuring economic and healthcare experts like Dr. David Nott, a Welsh trauma surgeon who has served for 23 years taking unpaid leaves in war-torn zones like Syria. Dr. Nott is currently battling the coronavirus in London. He stated that in traumatic situations like this pandemic, our adrenaline and survival instincts are operating. We feel OK as we're addressing the immediate crisis, but when we come out from the calamity; it may take weeks before we really feel the emotions that result from being in trauma. This is normal, and because of the breadth of the global pandemic's impact may result in mental health issues for those on the front lines of medicine and other essential workers, for those who've been homeschooling, or for those who've lost incomes. Pastors and leaders would be wise to prepare for what Cesar Chavez refers to as a coming 'deep need for spiritual advice.'  PRESSURE is the feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time,      We Americans have been acculturated not just to deny that we're under pressure, but to disparage those vulnerable and transparent enough to admit it. We have been told to suck it up, to never let 'them' see you sweat. I find it interesting that the Apostle Paul faced ridicule, imprisonment, poisonous snake bites, was shipwrecked, and threatened with death...but did not shy away from stating emphatically and specifically, that he was under pressure:   8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him, we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10, NIV)     Everyone's capacity under pressure is different. That's why it's important for us to be kind to ourselves and to one another, despite how frustrated we become. It is crucial that we depend upon the sufficiency of the grace of God. Paul encourages us that God's grace- His unmerited favor and Divine ability to do through us what we cannot on our own - will superimpose itself over the weaknesses we are willing to both admit and glory in, so that Christ's power and ability can rest on us. We can choose to delight in our weaknesses and the hardships, persecutions, and distresses we face...because when we are weak...in Christ, we are strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10) Just like diamonds are really chunks of coal formed under pressure; God is allowing these trying circumstances to refine, shape, and mold us into something more beautiful and valuable.