Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Call Me "Maybe"
by Tom Goodman
January 28, 2015

Do you have your feet on the gas and the brake at the same time?

It's not a good technique for driving a car. And it's not a good way to advance through life, either. If there's something we know God wants us to do, our answer can't be both "I'm on it" and "Give me a minute."

That's been our answer to God too often, though. I think that's why we both cringe at and draw comfort from the Gideon story. Our story is too much like his story. When God called Gideon to rescue Israel from the Midianite hoards, publicly, he sounded the trumpet and rallied Israel to his side. But privately, he wavered.

How do we know? One word. Fleece.

Gideon laid out a wool fleece on the threshing floor and said to God, "If it's really true that you're calling me to save Israel from Midian, prove it. By morning, let the dew only settle on the fleece while the ground remains dry." When those terms were met, though, Gideon said, "Um, what I really meant was: Make the fleece dry while the ground around it is covered with dew." The terms were met again (Judges 6:36-40).

Contrary to popular belief, this isn't an example of how to find God's will. Gideon's scheme wasn't to confirm God's will but delay it! It was the reluctant hero's way of driving with his feet on the gas and the brake at the same time.

I hope you had a patient teacher when you learned how to drive. God is certainly patient with us as we learn how to obey him. God actually worked with what Gideon was willing to give him. In God's mercy, he also nudges us past our fearful reluctance into courageous obedience.

Let's go a little deeper into this truth this Sunday. Join me at 10am as we continue through our series called Step Up: Finding the Courage You Need.

Missions Munch This Sunday. Our church members have a lot of connections with International Mission Board workers. Because of that, IMB personnel pass through Austin frequently. As often as we can, we try to book them for a "Missions Munch." This Sunday, come meet Rick and Bonnie Smith, serving with the Board in Central Asia. We'll meet for lunch at 12:15 in the MPC. A ticket is required for the BBQ lunch ($7). We recommend you get your ticket online now to make sure the meal isn't sold out at the door.

--Tom

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Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Call Me "Maybe" by Tom Goodman January 28, 2015 Do you have your feet on the gas and the brake at the same time? It's not a good technique for driving a car. And it's not a good way to advance through life, either. If there's something we know God wants us to do, our answer can't be both "I'm on it" and "Give me a minute." That's been our answer to God too often, though. I think that's why we both cringe at and draw comfort from the Gideon story. Our story is too much like his story. When God called Gideon to rescue Israel from the Midianite hoards, publicly, he sounded the trumpet and rallied Israel to his side. But privately, he wavered. How do we know? One word. Fleece. Gideon laid out a wool fleece on the threshing floor and said to God, "If it's really true that you're calling me to save Israel from Midian, prove it. By morning, let the dew only settle on the fleece while the ground remains dry." When those terms were met, though, Gideon said, "Um, what I really meant was: Make the fleece dry while the ground around it is covered with dew." The terms were met again (Judges 6:36-40). Contrary to popular belief, this isn't an example of how to find God's will. Gideon's scheme wasn't to confirm God's will but delay it! It was the reluctant hero's way of driving with his feet on the gas and the brake at the same time. I hope you had a patient teacher when you learned how to drive. God is certainly patient with us as we learn how to obey him. God actually worked with what Gideon was willing to give him. In God's mercy, he also nudges us past our fearful reluctance into courageous obedience. Let's go a little deeper into this truth this Sunday. Join me at 10am as we continue through our series called Step Up: Finding the Courage You Need. Missions Munch This Sunday. Our church members have a lot of connections with International Mission Board workers. Because of that, IMB personnel pass through Austin frequently. As often as we can, we try to book them for a "Missions Munch." This Sunday, come meet Rick and Bonnie Smith, serving with the Board in Central Asia. We'll meet for lunch at 12:15 in the MPC. A ticket is required for the BBQ lunch ($7). We recommend you get your ticket online now to make sure the meal isn't sold out at the door. --Tom Know someone who could use the encouragement from today's email devotional? Just forward this email to them! Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.