What Glenn Writes

This article was first printed in the New Man eMagazine on May 28, 2009, found at www.newmanmag.com.

As a member of the Macho Male Club for Men, I keep an assortment of large, over-powered tools.  By over-powered tools, I mean ridiculously over-powered tools.  For example, last year I refilled my trimmer with the largest capacity trimmer line, specially designed in an octagon shape to give “…eight razor sharp, professional grade, cutting edges.”  When I selected the trimmer line, I chose the largest diameter cord for the added strength, “…a superior trimmer line for the professional landscaper.” 

I know what you are thinking… you saw the same trimmer line when you last looked for refills and started drooling in the same way.  When I first fired up the gas-powered trimmer, the slack went out of the line and ripped the trimmer guard off the bottom of the trimmer.  I instantly knew I made the right choice.

With a grin, I revved up the trimmer and attacked the lawn.  After scoring the bark off most the trees in the yard and digging trenches around them with the trimmer, I turned my attention to the hedges and bushes.

I have hedge clippers in the garage, but why use hedge clippers when you have “a superior trimmer line for the professional landscaper” loaded in your trimmer? As I revved the engine, visions of the worldwide hedge artistry competition danced before me.  I began lobbing the edges of a bush in my yard, yet somewhere I was competing with professional gardeners and landscapers.

The crowd cheered me on, clapping and praising every cut and each strike.  The judges nodded their approval for my unconventional use of trimmers instead of hedge clippers.  Branches fell to the ground and my symphony of green took shape.  As I saw the frustration mounting with my imaginary opponents, a brown streak flashed before my eyes and lit my nose on fire. 

A wasp stung me!

I threw my lawn trimmer (with superior trimmer line for the professional landscaper) to the ground, along with every ounce of Macho Male dignity, and ran to find my loving and attentive wife.  I was yelling, ranting, raving, and calling the dirty little wasp an assortment of names (although censored as my children were following Mommy to find out why Daddy was now a lunatic).

My wife made a nice poultice and the sting tapered off after a few minutes of over-reacting.  I thanked my loving and attentive wife, explained to my children I was not a lunatic, and went off to finish my shrubbery competition. 

I made it back before the semi-finals and the judges granted me a reprieve due to my game injury.  I started to give more form and shape to the hedge, clipping more off the top and cutting some at the bottom.  Again, I saw my opponents look on at their defeat until a yellow and black flash set my arm on fire. 

A yellow jacket bee stung me!

Now I was mad, and I mean seriously ticked off.  I sought the loving attention of my wife, again ranting and trying to think of “clean” names to call the yellow jacket without treading on my children’s ears.  My wife encouraged me to give up on the shrubs until another day, perhaps after we purchase a can of wasp and bee killer. 

Of course, my Macho Male dignity would not allow the excruciating pain from the ferocious bees and tenacious wasps to drive me away.  I walked with confidence back to the hedge. 

I know this was just a wasp and a bee sting, yet as I consider this fateful afternoon, I am reminded what Scripture tells us about persevering during times of challenge.  My challenge was trivial.  My obstacles were minor.  Yet, no matter the struggle, we are called to persevere.

We find this in Hebrews 10:35-39, “…do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised…  …but we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”  This is stated after acknowledging there will be public ridicule and punishment due to a Christian’s beliefs.

Are we tough enough to persevere?  Do we even know what this word means?  When a marriage has trouble, are we quick to a divorce or do we persevere to find the blessing in working it out?  When our jobs challenge us, do we quit or persevere to find ways to address the challenge.  When our children rebel, do we forget about them or persevere to help them understand obedience? 

This question can be worded many ways, but essentially you find the meaning.  When things are hard, are you going to give up or persevere through the struggle? 

As Christians, we all like to think we will persevere.  We enjoy thinking we are tough enough and have the faith to endure whatever challenge we have to face.  Romans 8:31 tells us, “…if God is for us, who can be against us?”, but do we believe this verse?  We may know this verse in our heads, but do we know it in our hearts?  These words are great comfort and sound pretty righteous when the enemy is not attacking, but where do they go in the midst of the sting?  How powerful are these words when we are being consumed by the enemy’s venom? 

We do not know the depth of our faith until the strength and integrity of our faith is tested by a trial.  Will we persevere and save our marriage?  Will we persevere and work out our differences with our coworkers?  Will we persevere and find a level where we can relate with our children? 

Our strength in many circumstances, if not all, is found in Jesus Christ.  How do you find this strength in the midst of the opposition?  Hebrews 12:2 and 3 tell us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Will we keep our eyes on Christ when the stinger is testing our faith?  Will we persevere and be tested as a true Christian or a weak heathen?  His reward is far better than any trophy offered at a hedge-clipping contest.  We should have confidence in the Lord, even when it stings.

When being a Christian is tough, are you tough enough?

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Glenn Sasscer
www.glennsasscer.com
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