Who Cut In On You?
Does the picture above remind you of anything that you have encountered recently? If you drive in any of the Atlanta area traffic, or in any metropolitan area, you will have some driver to cut in on you in traffic. The crazy thing about this is that it REALLY bothers me! I can be in the best mood and suddenly I’m ready to fight, or to bump the car in front of me with a pretty good jolt. When I first married my wife, Julie, she drove the old family hand-me-down car. It was a four door Plymouth Fury and it was as big, and sturdy, as a Hummer. In my minds eye, I often picture myself in that old car when someone cuts in on me: I just take off his or her rear bumper with that old car. Yet, I gain back my correct thinking, and I choose to let that moment of anger to pass. I often wonder if those same people use their grocery carts in the supermarket to cut in on folks, instead of waiting their proper turn in line. In the area where I live, even if you turn your blinker on properly and leave plenty of room to change lanes, you will still ruin somebody’s complete day by causing them to remove their foot from their gas pedal. It’s best not to look back in your rear view mirror, because inevitably, they are going to display their IQ on their hand.
This past week there was a news story about a man that came up to a ladies window and hit her in the face while she was at a traffic light. Apparently she had cut in on him in traffic and he got mad enough to get out of his car. This, of course, was a bad decision on his part. He was later arrested, his picture was plastered on the news, and his business (he is a doctor) was affected by the bad publicity. I can just imagine how the news would treat me if they found out that I had a Christian ministry and I was accused of road rage. The enemy would have a field day with my walk in the Lord in an episode like this. A challenge like this could possibly affect my faith.
Has anyone cut in on you? Oh, it doesn’t have to be in a car, or in traffic. It can be a boss, or co-worker at work, it can be a spouse that is not walking in the Light, it can be “church person” in your congregation, a difficult child, or a broken relationship. Perhaps the bad economy has cut in on you, or an illness, or death in your family? There are many things in the world that “cut in” on us. These things disrupt our daily routines, cause us anxiety and stress, and may very possibly challenge, and take away our faith. I remind you; we do have an enemy, and he knows our weakness.
I am reminded of a very dear friend who is celebrating an anniversary in ministry this month. His ministry is tied very closely to the beginnings of A Good Word Ministry. Several years ago, we were writing, calling, and encouraging each other frequently. Then suddenly, I received no communication at all from him. I would write, call and leave messages, but no return communication would come. I wondered what I had possibly done wrong to cause this. One day later I received an “I’m still alive” note, and things returned the way they were in the beginning. Over time, with several years in ministry now, I encounter this often with people that come into contact with A Good Word Ministry. One moment I’m receiving the kindest encouraging notes, and the next moment it’s like they disappeared from society. I now know that someone, some-thing, or some circumstance has cut in on them. The “cut-in” has challenged their faith, and they don’t want to hear anything from the Truth. Have you been “cut-in” on recently? Were you running a “good race” in the race of life, and suddenly you’re not running so well?
In my Bible studies this week, I came across this passage of scripture, and it encouraged me to ask this question: The Apostle Paul writes, “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" (Galatians 5:7 NIV). Has someone, or some circumstance cut in on you, and you’ve wandered away from following God’s ways? In the very next line of scripture Paul tells us where that “cut in” did not come from: “It certainly isn't God, for he is the one who called you to freedom" (Galatians 5:8 NLT). Did you catch the last five words of that Good Word? It says “who called you to freedom.” Why would Paul mention the word freedom here when he is asking about who cut in on you? If I were teaching in a class right now, I would wait for your response. What do you think he means by saying that God calls you to freedom? What is the opposite of freedom? Captivity? The Bible says, “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32 NLT). Do you desire to be free from the anxiety, anger, depression, guilt and the hurt of captivity? If you are not obeying God’s truth, walking in His ways, then you are in captivity.
Now some may think, “There you go again Robby. Every three or four weeks I get another e-mail from you about your faith. I’m glad that it works for you, but I’m not sure about that God stuff in my life. I tried religion for a while, but it just didn’t work for me. I don’t doubt that there’s the “Big Man” up there, but he’s not interested in my daily life.” I would answer by saying that I understand your response. You may be surprised to hear that I thought that very same thing a few years ago. But I ask you; do you want to really KNOW the truth? What if the Truth can really set you free, would you want to know that Truth? Jesus says if you obey His teachings, then you will know the truth. You may wonder if Jesus is the real deal? How would you really know? I say you ask Him to show you. Do like I did several years ago. No one will ever know—
I came home from a church service one day, and I was bothered by the sermon I heard earlier. I was in a very unhappy place in my work career, and I felt “cut in on” and captive. I finally said to myself, “I’m getting up early tomorrow morning, I’m going down to the basement where no one will see me, I’m going to read a little from the Bible, and I’m going to ask the Lord to show evidence that He really cares for me personally.” No one would ever know. I finally tried it! For the FIRST time, I got down on my knees, (I felt very weird doing that then,) and I asked the Lord to show His evidence in my life. For the first time in my life, I surrendered all. Have you ever sung that song in church before? (I Surrender All) I finally made the choice to do God’s will, His ways, in my life. Did you know that Jesus says: “If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17 NIV). That’s how I found out!
I challenge you today to find out for yourself; choose to do God's will. No one will ever know…or will they? Do you know about my life? Do you think the Lord showed any evidence in my life? Do you really think an oil salesman could start a website where people actually sign up to receive e-mails from him when he writes a lesson? Do you really think an oil salesman could write a book that people wanted to purchase? I’m telling you, Robby could never have done that! I look back and say, “Wow!” Now don’t start thinking, “Robby, I’m not sure if I want to start teaching, writing, and sharing my faith.” Don’t worry, you will know if you have to do that part, or not. I didn’t want to do that either. I just wanted to be a one-on-one counselor. The thing you will be is free. Oh you will still have things in life that cuts in on you, but you will no longer be a slave to the captivity of anger, guilt, and anxiety that sin brings. The Bible tells us, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). As hard as it is sometimes, I now say, “Lord bless them,” when I get cut in on. We may never know what kind of day they are having, and that’s A Good Word!
Robby
