“Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans.
Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers,
dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; labor and hardship,
many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27 Holman Christian Standard Bible)
As you read the opening passage in conjunction with heading, you probably thought I should have changed the title to say, “Be Like Paul.” And if you are like those readers who opt to skip to the closing verses before reading the whole content of this challenging meditation, you could argue that I should have used a title with the ultimate charge, “Be like Jesus.” I can see why. Paul persevered in doing what the Lord called him to do in spite of all the hardship and persecution he endured. Paul did not stop doing his work as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. And who could dispute an argument that I could have opted to use the Son of God’s name in place of Mike’s name in the title above. Afterall, He experienced the most persecution, suffering, and mistreatment imaginable, as He headed toward Golgotha to be nailed to a cross and lifted up to that place on s hill far away, where He shed His blood for the remission of our sins. Certainly, we should be moved, motivated by the man Paul, and even more moved and motivated, as followers of Christ, our Messiah.
Yet, I chose to use the title, “Be Like Mike.” Let me tell you why. The “Mike: I’m referring to attends our church’s Thursday night, virtual Bible Study class. At the end of our class Thursday, where we are presently taking on a three-part study of Psalm 37, we were ready to conclude with prayer. Before we were instructed to bow our heads, Mike spoke up and asked if he could say something before we dismissed. No one had a problem with listening to what Mike had to say. It is good that no one did, for Mike gave us a lesson on sticking with what the Lord wants us to do, regardless of what is going on in our lives. Mike really just wanted to apologize for joining the class a few minutes late, but the Lord had something else in mind. The Lord wanted all those in the class to be taught a lesson on top of what we had learned on trusting in God and faithfulness by using Mike’s sharing of his experience that day. Before I proceed, know that I have permission to tell you about his experience. You see, I reminded Mike before we all logged out about my tee-shirt, “Be careful what you say or do. I just might write about it.” He gave me the go ahead. So, that’s exactly what I am doing. There is a purpose. Perhaps you will be like the class members who heard Mike share how he had just got released from the hospital after going in because of some signals that he was receiving on an implanted device that could have predicted a disastrous end. While He praised God and thanked Him openly, multiple voices of participants in the class thanked Mike for sharing his story and expressed gratitude for his teaching by means of his very recent personal experience. Incidentally, one of the points we had covered was that we ought to be like David and be willing to share our experiences to bolster the faith of others.
While Mike could have opted to go home and skip class, and knowing that everyone would have understood that option, instead, Mike showed up for class. He not only showed up, but he stood out, sharing comments, providing input that would stand the test of scriptural truths, and Mike stayed the whole one hour and 10 minutes of class, without mentioning the scare he had gone through, not until it was time for our closing prayer. He believed that God expected him to be in class and You know what? Mike did what God expected.
Therefore, my title stands. I challenge you, male and female, to “Be Like Mike!” I challenge you this Sunday morning to do what the Lord wants you to do. And of course, that includes not missing the assembly of the saints today. My friend, look at Paul’s example, and emulate His commitment to the things God expected of him, and definitely look to Christ’s example, as He did exactly what God expected Him to do. Follow His example, pick up your cross and following Him daily, and “Be Like Mike.” Be blessed!
“He was despised and abandoned by men, a man of great pain and familiar with sickness; and like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised, and we had no regard for Him. However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore, and our pains that He carried; yet we ourselves assumed that He had been afflicted, struck down by God, and humiliated. But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; the punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:3-7 New American Standard Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King