POSITIONED FOR: THE COMING THING

“Sometimes, we are waiting for God’s blessings; sometimes, God’s blessings are waiting for us!”

–Mike Ramey, Syndicated Columnist

One of my favorite modern westerns is: “The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.”  It ran only one season during the early 1990s but packed a lot of punch in a small package.  Legendary character actor Bruce Campbell played the lead—with a very strong supporting cast.

One of the underlying themes of the show was the dawning of the 1900s, the 20^th Century.  Brisco was always on the lookout for what he termed “the coming thing”…that piece of technology, or twist in a way of doing things that would help to create some ‘new and exciting’ future venture beyond a dull and drab present.  In short, “Brisco County Jr.” represented being able to seize opportunities out of modern difficulties–if not downright tragedies.

A NEW COLUMN FOR AN UNCHARTED ERA:

My phone and electronic mailbag have been busy over the past few months.  The TV set and the Social Media platforms have also been getting a royal workout during the Wuhan Virus.  The main questions posed to me by fellow preachers, former students and complete strangers has been the following: “Mike, what future ventures are out there since all has changed?” Or: “What do I do now that I have suffered a major loss?”  Or: “Should I go back to school?” Or: “Is the time right to start a NEW business?” Great questions for very uncertain times.

Between the Virus, the shuttering of many businesses, schools, colleges and the like; the riots in the streets and burning of small businesses…not to mention the closing of many churches and ministries, there are a LOT of people who are wandering around in a kind of ‘daze’ right now.  We have hit hard times and are looking for inspiration and leadership from any source that may provide us comfort and hope.

Might I suggest your good ol’ King James Bible as a great starting point?

Just because the churches are closed does NOT mean that your Bible shuts down.  It is a living Word from a Living God.  Thus, I have been blessed to launch yet another column from the Barnstorm Communications International stable; founded always on biblical, business and a common-sense perspective: “The Bible Economics Line.” The purpose of this series of columns is to draw us back to reason with Jesus Christ, and let Him provide the wisdom and vision through His Word and His Spirit in order to lead us forward with confidence…instead of focusing on our fears.

If you get your soul right, your mind, body and wallet will follow.

WHY THIS TYPE OF COLUMN NOW?

This column is right-on-time for a variety of reasons.

First, because it uplifts, rather than rehashes the negatives on the landscape.

It is far too easy, as a columnist, to keep on harping about the obvious negatives which exist in the present, rather than focusing upon solutions and hope.  A man without hope is a mere shell of what he could become.  It is far too tempting to look out, be fearful, throw a pity party, and sip on a bottle of ‘Hateraide’.  I’ve always been about solutions, not existing in the problem.

It takes faith to look up to the hills from whence cometh our help, focus on the Word of God and seek new opportunities that are on the way.  Some of them are right in front of us.  History—if you bother to study it—is loaded with parallels and ‘coming things’ birthed by people in hard times.  This is your chance to shine, instead of whine.

ONE OF THE BEST LINES I HAVE HEARD:

Pastor John Hagee, out of San Antonio, Texas, provided a great line that accurately sums up our present dilemma across this land: “You can’t get a new job (new opportunity, etc.), until you LOSE the old one!”  In short, sometimes we—even those of us who claim to be Christians—won’t move on to the next place that God wants us to be, until He literally ‘turns off the stream’ that has been our source and supply.  We tend to forget that God gave us the LAST opportunity and provision.  It’s time for some of us to move on and conquer that next opportunity, clear it, and ready it for heavenly use.

Frankly, some of us have gotten ‘too comfortable’. We’ve gotten ‘fat and sassy’.  We feel entitled to the successes we have garnered.  We ‘assume’ that the job we have, the home we have been blessed with, or, the ministry we may be involved in is the ‘be all and end all’ of what God has in store for us.  We tend to—based upon the stability of the familiar—assume that life cannot nor will not change.  Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) is a sobering verse designed to show anyone who will read it that life is fleeting, and tomorrow may never come the way you may THINK it will!

The Christian is merely a pilgrim passing through life on this earth.  We may have stops for water and supplies, but we are a part of an army…an army of warriors!  In the words of Pastor Wayne E. Anderson out of Honolulu, Hawaii: “Every Christian is a soldier!  We can’t be ‘at ease’ until the mission is finished, once and for all.”

The Wuhan Virus has taught EVERYONE that what was true and stable yesterday may not be the same today, nor will it be steady in the days to come.  It’s going to take several YEARS for life to get back to a ‘maybe’ normal—possibly before the NEXT major change(s).  For far too long America and the world have been rolling along.  Not only have we forgotten about God and the KJV Bible…we have turned luxuries into necessities and have pushed the necessary portions of life off to the side.  We have also forgotten the gumption needed to achieve in adversity.

Now that God has our attention, we are going to have to do things His way.

TROUBLE DON’T LAST ALWAYS:

I can already hear the catcalls about the “separation of church and state”.  Well, let me clue you into something…God is too much of a gentleman to stay where He is not wanted.  I write from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective.  If you don’t want what I have to offer, you are free to move about the country.  There IS NO separation of church and state when the rubber meets the road out in the streets.

I find it highly interesting that many of the food banks that are being run are being run by churches!  Thus, some who won’t go to church; haven’t had an inkling to visit a church or think that they don’t ‘need’ the church are getting ‘fed’ natural food by a CHURCH.  Get ahold of the spiritual food that the church is supposed to distribute, and you may find that you like it! Amen!

Some of us who ARE Black have forgotten our God, our history, and our way.  When we had nothing, we KNEW how to respect ourselves, build strong marriages, homes and stable communities.  As a matter of fact, it wasn’t that long ago when the hymns of the church were played on many urban radio stations.  We USED to sing our theology.  Then came Rap.  Then came Rebellion.  Then came Rejection.  Then came the Wuhan Virus.  Then came the fires and riots.

Trouble ONLY lasts as long as it takes for you to learn the lesson.  AFTER you have learned what caused the trouble, it usually does not take that long before you can get moving towards your TRUE calling and purpose.  Some of us truly need to stiffen our spines, get off the bench and get back into the game of life.

Another interesting fact of our national ‘Wucation’ is that people have rediscovered a lot of skills and talents they have taken for granted.  Some parents have discovered their children and have found that home schooling instead of public indoctrination is a good thing.  Some men have discovered that they don’t ‘need’ to see the latest NBA, MLB, or NFL sporting events…they can spend their time and money on other pursuits.  Families have discovered that a business or ministry loss does not define them…such a loss is inconvenient, but they did NOT lose themselves.  Some women have discovered the health benefits of being housewives wearing aprons, rather than hard-charging executives stalking heart attacks, strokes, alcoholism and adultery.

Are you catching the REAL vision?

Let’s saddle up and ride out to meet our ‘coming thing’ the Bible way.  You may be amazed at the thrill of the adventure, and what you might find when you reach your destination.  Hope to be here with you on a new topic for encouragement and growth next month.  Closing thought: “A setback is a set-up for a comeback!”

Mike Ramey is a Minister, Book Reviewer, P-School Ranger, Modern Street Gangs Specialist and Syndicated Columnist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  “The Bible Economics Line” is one of a variety of columns that Ramey has in cyberspace.  To drop a line…or a whine:  mgmikeramey@yahoo.com.  ©2020 Barnstorm Communications International.