You and I deal with nonstop distraction and clutter, decisions and conflicts. The world clamors for our attention. And yet, the one assignment Jesus specifically gave us was to "go make disciples." How do we do that?
Bishop Kenneth Ulmer tells the story of auditing a college class. He didn't attend class, but wrote a stellar final paper to get his grade. The professor agreed it was a terrific, then failed him. Ken saw the big "F," then read the professor's comment: "This was not the assignment."
Most men are confused on the assignment! Most men are not on mission! That's our largest issue - when we're not doing our assignment, when we’re not engaged in the mission, we allow for the destruction of our life, family, and community.
I often tell the story of men clearing a field in a small town in Pennsylvania in May 1962. They pushed some brush and debris to the side then set fire to the pile. A small part of the brush fell into a hole and ignited some coal dust. Simple. They covered the hole with dirt and left.
But under the surface, right below their feet, coal in deeper veins caught fire.
In August 1981, 19 years later, a 12-year-old boy was playing with friends when the earth cracked open under his feet. He fell into a hole of steaming mud – his friends barely rescued him from death. More holes cracked open across the small town.
Today, that once vibrant town is a ghost town. The underground fire, covered with dirt, is still burning and is estimated to continue for another 250 years.
They covered it up. They thought it was ok. It was on fire. Right below their feet.
There’s a fire below our feet – it’s the steady destruction of the family, the emasculation of manhood, the compromise of the casual, the erosion of truth and righteousness, the decline of culture and life as we know it.
What men didn’t see destroyed their city.
Our assignment is to fight the battle in our own hearts, then fight for our families and for the men around us.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6).
Brother, I encourage you today to uncover the enemy and fight. Be vigilant. Be strong. Be awake. Be on assignment. Remember: Jesus, brought into any situation or circumstance, is victorious!
Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer, take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted! For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.” John 16:33 AMPC
My prayer for you is that through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will extinguish the flames in your life and complete the assignment God has given you.
Paul Louis Cole
