1 & 2 Thessaloniansናሙና

When I was in Bible College preparing for full-time ministry, the idea of studying in other parts of the world was very appealing, so I studied for a semester in York, England. A massive cathedral called the York Minster, which has more stain glass than anywhere outside of Notre Dame (fun tidbit for you there), was a beautiful and very stunning place to study. It was a really important time in my personal development. There are times in our lives when God just has to get us alone for a season, and there, I didn’t have family close. I had a few friends, but a lot of the time I spent reading and praying. It was a really special time in my journey with the Lord. He taught me many things about the man and the faithful servant he wanted me to become. 

One day, when I was in my flat, the phone rang. I was expecting a call from the States, so I was excited. I literally leaped to get that call. Now, sadly, I was standing in my bedroom in the back of this apartment, or flat as they call it, and the hallway was pretty low. Most of the buildings in England are hundreds and hundreds of years old. Something new to them would be as old as the United States. I think the building we were in was 400 years old, or something crazy like that. People were shorter back then; maybe they didn’t get as many nutrients in their food or something. But these overhangs and hallways and doorways were quite a bit shorter.

So, I was standing in my bedroom when I jumped and leaped to go get the phone before it stopped ringing, I hit the doorframe really hard. It connected with me just a few inches past my hairline. It hit so hard. It was like a brick and cut into my head, then just lacerated all the way across. Knocked me out. I went to the ground bleeding down my face. I missed the phone call by the way, and I don’t even remember who was calling. It was probably a telemarketer or something. It was such a gnarly incident, I had to go to the “Accident and Emergency” area. I think they call it A&E, where we would call it an ER. They used super glue on my head to close the wound. They just glued it up.

But what’s so funny about this is that, all over England, you’ll see low overhangs with a little sign on them that says, “Mind your head.” Mind your head. I made fun of those signs on many, many occasions because it’s just different than what we would say. We’d say, “Watch your head.” But to be truthful, it is more accurate to say, “Mind your head.” Because you can’t watch your head. Your eyes are mounted on your head. You can’t see your head. You should be mindful of your head. You should pay attention to your head. Paul is very specific in his letters to the Thessalonians about what is acceptable behavior before the Lord. If you are not paying attention, it is so easy to find yourself walking right into a situation you know would not be pleasing to God. 

Every one of us has people in our lives who are watching us. They are looking to see God in us and through us. Mind your head, so that God may receive glory through your life.

Respond

Describe a season when God got you alone. What did you learn from that time?

Make a list of people in your life who need to see God in and through you. What do you think they are currently seeing?

Prayer 

Father God, show me those areas where people are not seeing You. Forgive me and help me make a change.