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God has been talking to me about slingshots and rubber bands lately. I realize that may not seem like something God would really spend a lot of time talking about with people, but He knows what reaches me. When I was a little boy I had many slingshots. Some I bought. Some I made. Basically every ‘Y’ shaped stick I came across in my yard was weaponized within moments. It was so simple: a stick, a rubber band, pull it back and let it go. The further I pulled back, the farther the projectile would fly. Unless I pulled back too far, then it would break. Are you starting to see it?
I’m 36 years old today. I often get the privilege of sharing my birthday with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is an honor because of my respect for that great man, and is a blessing because I often got the day out of school on my birthday! With each birthday I become more and more reflective, wondering if my life is as effective as God intends it to be. In many ways I feel as if God has been pulling me back and stretching me for some time now. At times I have felt broken, like He’s stretched me too far. At times I have simply wanted to break because the discomfort was so great. In those times I have had to trust Him that He knows the perfect tension to create that will launch me the maximum distance at the appointed time without destroying me in the process. I don’t know what that perfect tension is, but He does. I often forget that and want to take over because being stretched is painful.
If I took over, that would guarantee ineffectiveness because I would not be willing to pull back far enough out of fear of breaking or because of the discomfort of the process. It would be more comfortable if I was in charge but, like my little homemade slingshot, would only shoot a few feet. George Washington, is immortalized on our One Dollar Bill. He was a military leader, had a reputation for high character as an honest man and was the first President of the United States of America. That is a pretty amazing résumé and pedigree. How ironic then that many historians argue that one of his most amazing military accomplishments was his RETREAT from the British forces at the Battle of Long Island in the Revolutionary War. Yes, one of the greatest things he did in ultimately helping the USA win the war was pulling back at the right time. I’m sure it wasn’t glamorous or exciting. However, had he not pulled back far enough they would not have been able to launch forward to victory at the appointed time. Being pulled back isn’t the same as defeat. In truth, it may be the very reason that you will win.
Today I start a new year of life but you do too. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is ahead. If you’ve been broken, Jesus alone can mend you. If you’ve refused to be stretched, I CERTAINLY understand. It is painful and frustrating and can seem a waste of time and resource. However, your future is best placed in the hands of the one who knows your TRUE potential. We need to be pulled back every now and then. In that process it’s imperative that we stay connected with others who can ‘hold up our arms’ when we get weary and discouraged in the stretching. (I talk about this in my message ‘Found Faithful’ ) Trust the Lord, let Him stretch You, knowing that He knows your limits. Also, know the further back you allow Him to stretch you the farther He can launch you into your destiny at the right time.
‘…Jesus often withdrew (pulled back) to lonely places and prayed.’ – Luke 5:16
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid… – Genesis 50:19-21
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