November 15, 2021 - Building Your Program

I was just reading an article about Texas A&M football coach, Jimbo Fisher; it is dealing with the speculation that LSU is trying to lure him away to coach in Baton Rouge… (and would probably offer many things to do so)… to which Jimbo has replied that if he were to leave, “you ought to say that’s the dumbest human being…” He was basing that answer on the fact that his current school has built one of the top recruiting classes in the nation coming in next year (and could even end up with the top class.) In other words, he looked at the program he is building… to potential rewards of the future… and realized he needs to honor his contract and stay put… and not miss the rewards! 

It reminded me of a song that I wrote the lyrics for many years ago… one that I recently came across and hung on my office wall… one that, to be very honest, made some folks uncomfortable. It was written from the perspective of if Satan were talking to a child of God… it is called “Crawl.”

I know that He’s your Father, and wants the best for you

But for some strange and unknown reason, you keep listening to me too

I know how to intrigue you, and what you will not flee

And though you do not have to, you keep crawling back to me

So, Crawl, Yes, Crawl

I say Fall, Yes, Fall

Don’t listen to your Master, and Crawl

I’m roaming all about, seeking who I’ll devour

I’ll take away your peace, through the final hour

I might have lost you in the end, but until that time I’ll see

You falling to enticements, as you come crawling back to me

So, Crawl (even though you have wings)

Yes, Crawl (though you could soar with ease)

I say Fall (even though the Spirit grieves)

Yes, Fall (leave behind your joy and peace)

Don’t listen to your master, and Crawl

The story and the song take my mind to 1 Corinthians 3

9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, you are saved… that is the foundational hope/truth of the Christian. You came to Him with empty hands and accepted what He offered you. But once that foundation is laid, we should build upon it.. with the assurance of looking ahead to future rewards.

Salvation is a result of His work… which this passage reminds us, will forever endure!

Rewards are the result of our work… which this passage reminds us, are subject to testing!

Be a wise builder of a Godly program in your life…