Johnny had a really good illustration this morning at staff prayer. We were discussing how HPC has got a huge target on us because of our influence and huge building project. We are a 14 year old church with many years to come. If Satan wants to damage multiple lives, he will target people in ministry (ministry at a church or in a workplace), because their hearts affect so many others.
So he told us about this guy last night who competed in the X-Games who took a hard fall from 50 feet in the air. He made one small technical glitch and came crashing down… his head slammed down and his body hit so hard his shoes flew off. The point is that when we fall, we aren’t falling from 2 feet anymore… None of us feel qualified for our roles in this church- no matter how large or how small- but we have to concentrate on purifying our hearts so that we won’t crash and burn and take others down with us in the flames. Just one minor mistake in our lives could produce terrible results! None of us are exempt!
Now check out this crazy video of the fall:
That reminds me of some great Lewis stuff;
” ..the average sensual man, who is selfish, tipsy, a trifle sharp in his deals is certainly by ordinary standards lower then the man whose soul is filled with some great cause, to which he will subordinate his appetite, his fortune and even his security. BUT out of this man something really fiendish can be made…It is the greater men, potential saints, not little men, who become merciless fanatics. Those who are readiest to die for a cause may easily become those who are readiset to kill for it.
The supernatural entering a human soul, opens to it new possibility both of good and evil, either to sanctity, love, humility, the other to spiritual pride, self righteousness and persecuting zeal. No way back to the humbrum virtues and vices of the UNAWAKENED soul.
OF ALL CREATED BEINGS THE WICKEDEST IS ONE WHO ORIGINALLY STOOD IN THE IMMEDIATE PRESENCE OF GOD. The devils natural gifts were as far above ours as ours are above a Chimpanzee. It all gives new meaning to our lords words about ‘counting the cost’.”
great wisdom from Johnny Baywatch =)