Tag: God’s Plan

I could have been a rock star

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The other night I began watching a documentary about the rock group “The Eagles”. How and why they formed the group, who were the principal musicians, etc.

It was interesting learning how two ordinary guys, who weren’t tremendously talented, made it all the way to stardom.

It suddenly hit me.

I could have been a rock star.

I’m not pumping up my own heels, honest. So please, don’t quit reading.

Sure, Don Henley and Glen Frey were talented guys as far as your average Joe is concerned (no, that wasn’t a reference to Joe Walsh). But they were not the best musicians to ever find their way to a recording studio.

Somewhat like myself. Not the best, but possibly better than your ordinary run-of-the-mill musician.

I could have been a rock star.

I’m not looking at this “revelation” as something I wish I would have followed through on; even though, as a teen, I wanted nothing more than to be in a band, make tons of music, live a wild party kind of life, and become filthy rich.

Of course it never happened.

I got married at 18, and while I was developing my skills as a musician, and the desire to be a star was still inside me somewhere, I followed the path back to Iowa, then West Virginia, and eventually into the Kingdom of God.

Oh, I could have hung out in California like Don and Glen did. We were living in Orange County around the same time Don and Glen were introduced to people like Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and others who were instrumental in discovering and forming the group of guys who’d later become known as The Eagles.

I could have become a rock star.

But I didn’t.

And I’m glad.

God had other plans. And, like I said, I’m glad.

Just a few short years after getting married, the biggest thing that could ever have happened, happened to me.

I became a new creation in Christ. A child of God. An heir of God. A joint-heir with Christ.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

I don’t mean to infer those who are rock stars don’t know true purpose and peace. Not all of them, anyway. But watching the documentary helped me realize all the things God saved me FROM. I already had enough that God to change in my life without jumping into the pit of unimaginable wealth and immorality.

Yes, I still enjoy music. Actually, I really enjoy music. Playing, performing, or whatever you’d like to call it. It’s a part of who I am; who God made me.

I enjoy singing and playing in honor of the living God Who changed my focus those many years ago. Worshipping Jesus simply because He is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.

As for the guy who wanted to be a rock star… well, I’m just glad he didn’t meet the “right people”.

I could have been a rock star, but thank God, I never made it.

Has God ever kept you from something you thought you wanted, even needed? You may want to praise Him for that.

“[God]… who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:4 – 103:5 ESV)

He redeemed me by keeping me from it, even before I ever started thinking about Him.

Wow!

Yes, Shepherds!

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Shepherds

God summoned His angels one day to explain His next installment of the Plan of the Ages. “And you are going to appear to a group of shepherds, as they are watching over their flocks. You’ll find them just outside the town of Bethlehem”, He said.

“Shepherds?”, one of them incredulously asked. “We’ve watched those kind of guys for years! Haven’t noticed much use for holy things among ’em, for sure. Why, you ought to hear the way some of them talk!”

“I’ve been around when some were even smoking and drinking!”, another angel chimed in. “By the time I left, I had to get something to spray on my clothes to cover that awful smell.”

One by one, on and on, they voiced their concerns to the Almighty. “After all”, they argued, “we’ve even witnessed them cussing! You just can’t trust what may come out of their mouths! Shepherds? Really? Are You sure?”

“Yes, shepherds!”, the Master Planner responded. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll continue.”

As they quietly watched and listened, He continued with the Plan. “Shepherds, though maybe a little rough and worldly, are just the kind of people I can reach. They aren’t pretentious or preoccupied with their own importance.”

Remember David? He was quite a young man when he caught My eye and captured My heart as he worshipped. He was a shepherd, remember? But he was faithful, and humble.

These shepherds I’m sending you to will repeat exactly what you tell them. My story, My plan, will be safe with them. They have no hidden agenda. They will simply respond as reporters; they’ll report and the rest of the world will decide.”

As the angels got ready to meet with the shepherds that first Christmas morning, I’m sure there was a sense of awe among them as they reflected on the words of their Master. To think that the God of the universe would choose people like shepherds to reveal Himself, His plan, and His Provision to; remarkable.

By the way, nothing has changed in this regard. The “high and mighty” never do well with an announcement such as the shepherds received. For “the humble receive from Him, but the rich go away empty.” In other words, when people think they have it all together, they don’t feel the need for something better. Folks that are full of themselves don’t make very good witnesses and reporters. Even preachers…uh, sorry. Better stick with my story.

Shepherds…probably not a clean one in the lot. But God saw them as the perfect ones to proclaim what they saw and heard; “The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”(Luke 2:11 – 20 NLT)

Shepherds. Not saints, but, yes, good enough for God.

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