EVERYBODY NEEDS A HERO

My phone rang early this morning. I had the common, immediate assumption as I reached for the phone. "Who died?"
I didn't feel like talking, and looked at the caller ID. The caller wouldn't ordinarily phone so early if it weren't an emergency. I answered, all the while hoping there was no matter of emergency hospitalization or death. Fortunately, it was neither, but from the tone of the caller's voice, both would have been more welcome. 
Happiness, self-worth and security were under attack. A heart was breaking, and a mind was confused. I heard, "I'm tired". I knew it wasn't physical exhaustion, but emotional impatience. I was being asked for advice. I didn't feel qualified. I listened. I could have agreed with everything that I heard. There was certainly justification for anger, an unforgiving spirit, and bitterness. This was, however, not the time for right-fighting, or jumping to conclusions. This wasn't the time for criticism and bashing. It was time for rational, reasonable thought. It wasn't time to say what the caller wanted to hear just to end the call and return to the dream I'd been enjoying. The enemy was up to something way too early in the morning. This was a trick, and I had to wake up. I couldn't take sides. I had to be honest and objective. The only side to take was God's. The only things to say would be what He would say. God's word would be the saving grace in the situation. It didn't need a referee, cheerleader, or instigator. It needed a hero.
As the call continued, two things came to mind. The first was the series on "Effective Love" that Pastor Keith Battle has been teaching from Dr. Gary Chapman's book, "5 Love Languages". http://www.zionchurchonline.com/meet

The second, was my favorite new song- Alex Williams' "Everybody Needs A Hero". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfEsCQuUo-g

As the frustrated caller spoke, I could hear the sentiment of Alex's lyrics, "The enemy has come to destroy me, to kill me, and to steal what you gave to me--my destiny, my happiness--and I want it back. Help me..."

It's Monday morning. Whatever was absorbed in the caller's heart and mind while at church on Sunday, must have had the potential to make a family stronger, more resilient, and bring them even closer to God. Of course the pointy-headed enemy of God hates stuff like that. Saved parents almost always mean saved children, so satan goes after families with a vengeance. In a matter of hours he concocted a situation which had the potential to steal every word that had been preached and taught before they could take root. Communication had broken down, and self-preservation had kicked in. Past offenses were being resurrected, but there was no examination of self taking place.

I am not a natural morning person. I'm only morphing into one as I get older. Morning and problems don't sit well with me, whether they be those of someone else, or my own. I knew immediately, though, that if someone who knows me was calling so early, it wasn't catty agreement that was being sought, but reason.
I talked until I could literally hear relief. As sleepy as I was, I knew the words weren't mine. I talked until the replies I heard were filled with more hope, more faith, more God. I talked until the focus was no longer placed squarely on the selfish, thoughtless things that someone else had done. By the conversation's end, the mission was, "What can I do and say differently? What behavior can I change? How am I contributing to the problem? How do I demonstrate the love of Christ?"

God doesn't expose us to things haphazardly. I'd like to think I was prepped for the call this morning. God saw it all coming. He's always prepared to save the day. Are we?
Do we feed on mess, gossip and scandal so much that we love it more than peace, reconciliation and harmony? Will we be bold enough to stop confusion from escalating? Will we say what God wants us to say even if it means angering or losing friends, positions, or connections? Are we poised to be vicious, thoughtless antagonists in our own lives and the lives of our friends and acquaintances, or will we embrace more efficient ways to demonstrate love? Will we seek the light and strength of God and His ways of operating, or will reject His instructions, abide on shaky ground, grope in darkness and prolong the life of our problems and issues?

God was the hero this morning, and I'm so grateful for his Word. In it, there's so much hope.

P.S. I have enjoyed music for as long as I can remember. Some songs, however have an immediate impact upon me. The only way I can describe them is healing and therapeutic. They speak to a place deep inside and I embrace and revisit them often. There's a long list that includes, Richard Smallwood's "I Love The Lord", Quincy Jones' "What Good Is A Song", Stevie Wonder's "Joy Inside My Tears", Googie and Tom Coppola's "Joyous Flame", Tim Foot's "Grace", Lizz Wright's "Salt", Maurette Brown Clark's "Why Not Give the Lord A Try", "Bill Cantos' "Love Wins", Donald Lawrence's "There Is A King In You", Joe Sample and Lalah Hathaway's "When Your Life Was Low", Chaka Khan's "Love Has Fallen On Me", Bob Schneider's "World Exploded Into Love", Ledisi's "It's Alright", Stuart Townend's "My God", and Seawind's "Follow Your Road". I've recently added worship leader, Alex Williams' moving, encouraging, prayerful declaration in song, "Everybody Needs A Hero" It is now available for download at amazon.com. I encourage everyone to listen and add it to your music library.