Hey Y'all, Watch This
Title: Hey Y'all, Watch This
Category: Devotions
Subject: Trust
Hey Y’all, Watch This!
Dr. Vincent D. Hefner, Pastor
First Baptist Church
Cherryville, NC
I have always believed that life is one big learning experience. Sometimes we learn so much we get diplomas and degrees from schools and institutions that teach certain truths. Please don’t misunderstand me, I have great regard for formal learning, but there are certain things that you can only learn from living life. There are some lessons that I have learned that I hope I will never forget, then on the other had, there are some things I have tried that I hope I will never try again!
Take for instance; I hope I never again attempt to bite a fishing hook from an electric fence while standing in the middle of a creek! I almost electrocuted myself while I was fishing, something that I really enjoy. Yes sir, trout fishing and electricity do not mix! I hope I never get on another skateboard and attempt to roll down a big hill, just because my kids could do it. I didn’t know a little rock properly placed under one of the wheels could displace me up in the air then down on the ground. The pain of both of these activities reminds me of a statement made by one of my friends, “Vince, if you are gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough!” There is a great deal of truth in those words, and I remind myself of this every time I am about to do something with the prelude of, “Hey y’all watch this 1” No doubt it is something that bears watching, but in the end, it can be both painful and embarrassing. These are the things in life you want to learn from and never do them again.
There are some things I have learned since my childhood that are worth remembering. Taking for instance, being polite to others, and opening doors for friends and strangers. I enjoy talking to people and trying to encourage those people who are feeling discouraged. I take great effort to say, “Yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, and no ma’am.” I try to teach these same qualities to my children in hopes they will be polite and kind to the people they meet in their lives. I pray that I will never forget how to treat others.
However, there are some things that I am still trying to learn. While I attended college I worked at a local supermarket in my hometown. The only time I got off from work during the summer was Wednesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. The entire store would close and all the workers would go their separate ways for one afternoon. It seemed that every time I had something exciting planned with my afternoon, a rainstorm would show up and ruin my plans. After about the fifth straight Wednesday afternoon of rain, I was visibly upset and my boss asked me what was wrong. I told him I was mad because it rained every Wednesday afternoon and it was ruining my social life. My boss looked me straight in my face and said, “Vince, you can’t worry about things you can’t control!” His words did not make me feel any better, but his words were true, and I still try to accept the fact that a person cannot worry about things they can’t control, such as the weather or the actions of others.
What do we put our faith in when we are out of control? For me, I have put my faith in Jesus Christ because I know that He loves me and will never put more on me than I can bear at any given time. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” I’m still working on this one, because I know it is true and the results will lead me to a closer walk with Christ. Where is your trust today?
Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it!
Dr. Vincent D. Hefner, Pastor
First Baptist Church
Cherryville, NC
I have always believed that life is one big learning experience. Sometimes we learn so much we get diplomas and degrees from schools and institutions that teach certain truths. Please don’t misunderstand me, I have great regard for formal learning, but there are certain things that you can only learn from living life. There are some lessons that I have learned that I hope I will never forget, then on the other had, there are some things I have tried that I hope I will never try again!
Take for instance; I hope I never again attempt to bite a fishing hook from an electric fence while standing in the middle of a creek! I almost electrocuted myself while I was fishing, something that I really enjoy. Yes sir, trout fishing and electricity do not mix! I hope I never get on another skateboard and attempt to roll down a big hill, just because my kids could do it. I didn’t know a little rock properly placed under one of the wheels could displace me up in the air then down on the ground. The pain of both of these activities reminds me of a statement made by one of my friends, “Vince, if you are gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough!” There is a great deal of truth in those words, and I remind myself of this every time I am about to do something with the prelude of, “Hey y’all watch this 1” No doubt it is something that bears watching, but in the end, it can be both painful and embarrassing. These are the things in life you want to learn from and never do them again.
There are some things I have learned since my childhood that are worth remembering. Taking for instance, being polite to others, and opening doors for friends and strangers. I enjoy talking to people and trying to encourage those people who are feeling discouraged. I take great effort to say, “Yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, and no ma’am.” I try to teach these same qualities to my children in hopes they will be polite and kind to the people they meet in their lives. I pray that I will never forget how to treat others.
However, there are some things that I am still trying to learn. While I attended college I worked at a local supermarket in my hometown. The only time I got off from work during the summer was Wednesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. The entire store would close and all the workers would go their separate ways for one afternoon. It seemed that every time I had something exciting planned with my afternoon, a rainstorm would show up and ruin my plans. After about the fifth straight Wednesday afternoon of rain, I was visibly upset and my boss asked me what was wrong. I told him I was mad because it rained every Wednesday afternoon and it was ruining my social life. My boss looked me straight in my face and said, “Vince, you can’t worry about things you can’t control!” His words did not make me feel any better, but his words were true, and I still try to accept the fact that a person cannot worry about things they can’t control, such as the weather or the actions of others.
What do we put our faith in when we are out of control? For me, I have put my faith in Jesus Christ because I know that He loves me and will never put more on me than I can bear at any given time. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” I’m still working on this one, because I know it is true and the results will lead me to a closer walk with Christ. Where is your trust today?
Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it!
