Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater than outselves could restore use to sanity.

February 10

Scripture reading for today: Acts 1 – 2

Yesterday’s devotional focused on one truth about God: He desires relationship with us. Once I realized this about Him, I began to ask other questions. One question that I still find myself exploring: Who is this God who desires to be known by me? This is a big deal question. If there is a God, and He’s as powerful as scripture says, then I want to know his intentions towards me. All that power unleashed can be scary, dangerous, and potentially painful.

He peeked out from under a shaggy mass of unruly, curly hair. His arms were crossed and his short little legs swung back and forth in a wide arc that dared the coach to take one step closer.

“I don’t want to.”

“But Justin, this is our big day. We’ve been practicing and practicing for this – don’t you want to join your team out on the court?” My husband, Coach McBean, was working hard to get this tiny tike interested in taking his place on the court. He was a good little player, and if the team was to have a chance at victory, McBean needed this kid’s participation.

“No. I won’t do it.”

“Ok, son. Let me know if you feel ready to play.”

The game ended in a not-so-stunning, rather predictable defeat for McBean and his team. But this was not the focus of Pete’s concern. What bothered him was Justin. Why wouldn’t he play? This kid was a real fire plug in practice. Whether on offense or defense, this guy had game. After the coach’s pep talk, he walked over to Justin, patted him on the shoulder and said, “See you at practice.” Perhaps Justin missed it. As the coach’s wife, I did not. That statement was loaded with questions. Why didn’t Justin want to play? Had Coach done something wrong? Was Justin not feeling well? What was the problem that was in so obvious need of a solution? The answer was quickly revealed.

Trudging out to the parking lot, head down, Justin’s dad (whom we had never met nor seen at practice) was giving Justin an earful. “I know why that coach didn’t play you. I bet you’re lousy. I always knew you were stupid. I didn’t know you were lazy too. Didn’t I tell you to practice more? All those kids on the court – not a one of them could play – and you’re worse than them? It’s why I’m always asking your mother – is Justin my kid, or did they switch the babies at the hospital?” Sometimes it’s the parents that make coaching so difficult.

Dads have a tremendous amount of power. Some dads abuse this power. So do moms. Frankly, the first place we experience the use and abuse of power is in our homes. Lots of what we believe about God is “transfer.” “Transfer” is a term they use on crime shows (CSI in particular); it describes how a perpetrator always leaves a piece of self at the crime scene, and usually takes away some crime scene on self. Justin is experiencing “transfer.” Dad is teaching Justin that power is abused and a host of other painful untruths about power sources, Justin, and the world. This dad is a perpetrator who is abusing his power.

Maybe that’s why we want to know who this “power” is and what his intentions are toward us. God created families for the purpose of “transfer” (see Deuteronomy 6). Parents are supposed to “transfer” to their children the truth about who God is and what his intentions are for his created beings. Justin’s family is making a “transfer” that is going to leave Justin confused, angry, broken, and lost. It’s going to be tough for Justin to believe that there is a “power” that has Justin’s best interests in mind.

Thought for today: What kind of transfer did your family of origin make? What kind of transfer are you making in the lives of your children?

Thought for tomorrow:

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.   Ephesians 1:11-12 The Message

I don’t know what kind of “transfer” was made in your house. What I do know is that if we’ve taken our first step, we can now take the second. We can admit that not only are we powerless and our life is unmanageable, but we can explore who this “Power” is that wants an abundant life for us. He may be a far different God than our “transfer” has led us to believe.

February 10
Teresa McBean

Previous devotionals

Other links: www.crosswalk.com &  NACR Online