Sometimes You're The Bug
Chris Adsit, Associate National Director of Discipleship, Military Ministry

Mary Chapin Carpenter has a song getting a lot of air time these days on the country music stations that goes: "Sometimes you're the windshield; sometimes you're the bug." I don't know about you, but I'm closely identifying with the bug a lot lately!

And by golly, I resent that! After all, I'm a leader! I'm a disciplemaker! I've been a Christian for twenty-two years; been in full-time Christian work for nineteen years; have faithfully represented Christ to individuals and crowds all over the world; and if that ain't enough, I've even written a book! I think I deserve a little better treatment here!

Have you ever felt like that? If you haven't, and you're committed to being used by God to expand His Kingdom on earth, you will soon! But why? Why is it that the more serious our attitude becomes about following Christ, the more we find ourselves glancing over our shoulders for on-coming windshields?

Because God is excellent, and He demands excellence from His leaders. And no matter what the pursuit, the road to excellence is tough.

When I was running track as a sophomore in college, we got a new coach who asked me what my athletic goals were. After thinking deeply about his question for about, oh, I'd say four seconds, I said, "Coach, I want to compete in the Olympics in the 400 meter hurdles!" I was sure he'd be impressed and pleased.

But following that conversation, our relationship took a decided turn for the worse. Apparently, he began staying up late at night, devising devilish ways to make my life miserable. He made me take long runs up in the mountains. He insisted I sprint up stadium stairs. Forced me to lift great quantities of iron. Commanded me to go to bed earlier than I wanted and to rise before I wanted. Compelled me to eat distasteful food. All I did was share with him this pleasant notion about going to the Olympics, and he turns mean and tries to ruin my life! Someday, I'm going to get even with that guy.

And when I do, I'll tell him thanks. I will exalt and glorify his name, because he was willing to put me on the anvil, and beat me into the athlete I'd always hoped I could be. I missed that Olympic berth, but I did become an All American in the 400 hurdles, and Del Hessel helped form the foundation of my life and ministry for the next 20 years.

Have you told God that you want to be a first-stringer on His team? If you meant it, He's going to whip you into shape. And it won't always be pleasant. In John 9, a man told Jesus he wanted to see. So Jesus hawked up a loogie, spit in the dust, smeared the resultant mud in the guy's face and said, "Now, go wash it off." It's not how I would have done it, but God has good reasons for everything He does. Despite the unsavory process, the man got exactly what he wanted in the end.

Our house was too small. It had no family room, no dining room, and our twin boys slept in the utility room. We had given up notions of having Bible studies there - or even having guests over for dinner. With no place for our four active kids to go, it was impossible to carry on sane, adult conversations. We needed more room, but hadn't a clue how to get more room. So last June we asked the people on our newsletter list to pray for some kind of solution for us.

On July 28, that house burned to the ground due to faulty wiring. That's bad news. It's tough to lose most of the physical evidence of the first 42 years of your life. All the momentos and memories are irreplaceable. But the good news is that State Farm - and Jesus - are going to see to it that we have a beautiful new home that will accommodate all the ministry we'd ever hoped for! It's not how I would have done it, but God's ways are perfect!

Carpenter's song goes on to say, "Sometimes you're the Louisville Slugger; sometimes you're the ball." It's true. But sometimes, if that ball is hit hard enough, in just the right direction, on just the right day, it gets put in somebody's trophy case. God wants to put you in His trophy case (see 2 Timothy 2:20,21). But don't be surprised if you get the horsehide knocked clean off you in the process! It will be worth it in the end!