These people recently came for a visit to HOT North Louisiana. In case you wondered, yes, it would appear one has the other in a head hold. NEVER a dull moment!
While they were here, we watched a movie before bed each night. We picked a real winner--although made a dozen years ago, it spoke volumes. I looked at their mother and told her, "This will preach!"
"Evan Almighty" appears to be a modern day "Noah" story. God appears to Evan and begins to make ridiculous demands of him. Build an ark, Evan---WHAT??? The movie builds on The Ark theme, but what I came away with is "Am I willing to say, God spoke to me?" Am I willing to appear ridiculous to the world in obedience to God?
Would I be willing to wear a sackcloth robe, carry a staff, grow my hair and beard(NO comments) and have it turn white overnight? NOW it could turn white, but Mrs Clairol would have to fade away first. If God were to call me and ask me to do what I knew everyone would think was ridiculous, would I be willing to do it? AND FURTHERMORE, would I be willing to tell everyone God told me to?
I once heard of a Teacher who told a group he was teaching, "If God asks me to stand on the street corner of downtown Ruston and howl at the moon, I will do it." This causes us all to pause and question how deeply are we committed to God. Would you build an ark? Would you chance the ridicule of man to be obedient to God? Would you howl at the moon in the face of man's disapproval? In today's world, some of the things He has called us to do in His Word, are going to cause question in The World. When we are called to get into our pocketbook, give of our time and talents, and stand for truth, man is going to laugh and call you foolish.
Now, I seriously doubt God is going to ask us to build an ark. And though there is some howling going on around the fraternity houses at the university, so far He has not asked anyone to howl at the moon. He HAS asked us to take up our cross and follow Him. He has asked that we proclaim Him and not deny Him. I would NEVER deny Him! Denying can also be failure to acknowledge. When the question of God/Jesus comes up, do you always stand and proclaim Who He is to you? It's a great movie---thought provoking--watch it!
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save their own life will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for my sake will save it.
Luke 9:23-24