Devotion 8.26.15

Cimarron Elementary is located in East Houston in an area referred to as North Shore.  In my childhood, I attended Cimarron, and like the other schools in the area, it was a mix of solid blue collar men and their families.  Those men worked on the Port of Houston in some capacity - refinery, steel, off-shore construction.  There were a number of professionals, but it was mainly blue collar.  Cimarron is also the school I was an administrator at some years later, serving as an assistant principal and then principal.

The old 'hood was a changin' when I came on board, but I still loved it and knew the traditions that worked for the better regardless of economic status or race/ethnicity.  So, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, along with a thought for the day, and the Golden Rule (referred to as "The Cimarron Code of Conduct").  Children led the announcements, and the lore of the school has it that one day, a young man came to the office to read the thought for the day.  Ah, nothing like getting up to the microphone to make your one claim to fame and realizing your nerves as 950+ students listened to you.  This young man was no exception, so something as simple as reading the Thought for the Day became a chore. 

We turned off the microphone and encouraged the young lad, but he panted nervously and paced.  I finally got him still and we read the thought several times to practice, "Don't count your chickens until they hatch."  Finally, we turned the microphone back on to a school that wondered why the morning ritual had gone silent for a period, and then they heard young Eric belt out in a loud voice, "Don't hit nobody 'til they call you chicken!"

Sorry son, you missed it.  Yet we see in Eric ourselves, as we do in the disciples.  Matthew 16 he foretells of his need to go to Jerusalem, suffer, die and be raised, but Peter says, "Far be it from you, Lord!" (22) which draws a sharp rebuke from Christ.  Sometime later, the foretelling occurs again, and we read that the disciples "were greatly distressed." (17:23)  We see Christ yet again foretell his crucifixion in Matthew 20, and after his confession, two disciples, James and John, ask if they can be at his right and left hand. (20:20 - 22)

We just sometimes don't get it.  Why?  Sin.  Pride.  Stubborn nature.  Arrogance.  Thinking only of our earthly existence.  That's my confession as to why.  What's yours?

Pray that we "get it."  Pray that we know the moment.  Pray that we be in the moment.  Pray we understand what Christ would want of us and to live that out as it happens.

Hope Men's Ministry