Who Are You Fighting?
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. […]For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5: 34-35 & 38b-39
“I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to let you go.”
The words seemed to hang in the air in the office of the Player Personnel Director.
“Here is your contract termination. Please sign here and here and date here.”
It was almost an out of body experience. Was this really happening?
“Thank you. Make sure you turn in your playbook and the equipment guys will give you a garbage bag on your way out to clean out your locker.”
I had just been cut by an NFL franchise. And I had a garbage bag of my own stuff to show for it.
For the next six months after my release, I fought. Fought for a roster spot—for another opportunity to keep playing football. I trained relentlessly. I was on the phone with my agent constantly. I scoured the NFL transaction wire each day.
A call from another team came. Away I went, only to be sent home again. More fighting. Another call came. Another chance. Another rejection. Fight some more. One more call. One more opportunity. One more refusal.
I had been doing everything in my own power to make my plans work just as I envisioned. And nothing was working out.
Because I was fighting against God.
You can’t negotiate the will of God. You can either obey it, ignore it……
….or fight it.
My “purpose” was “of human origin” and, as the wise Pharisee Gamaliel predicted—it failed.
But what comfort we can find in the words of Acts 5:39—If our plans are “from God” then anything or anyone that opposes us will be “fighting against God”! When we are pursuing God’s will in our life, God + Us = A MAJORITY ! (See this past devotional for more on this formula!) With God, we cannot be stopped!
Sometime soon you are bound to face opposition. Consider who you are fighting…..is it your own will “of human origin” you are pursuing? Or is the opposition from someone or something that can’t possibly stop you, because you are seeking the will of God? If we are seeking The Lord’s will, take courage! With Him, we cannot be stopped!
