WHAT'S YOUR APPROACH?During a recent Spring Training visit to the California Angels clubhouse, Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson was asked for an autograph by Mo Vaughn. But the autograph was really the request of second baseman Trent Durrington who was too intimidated to approach Jackson himself. Jackson's response to Durrington's uneasiness? "Good. That means I still have some Reggie left in me." It's interesting how Jackson would choose to distance himself from a young player, even priding himself that his reputation would prevent someone from approaching him. Sometimes we are as hesitant to approach God as Durrington was to speak directly to Jackson. Do you ever feel intimidated about approaching God about your requests? In contrast to Jackson, God is completely approachable. The Bible says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Notice it doesn't say, "Let us approach the throne of grace with fear." Or "with caution." Or "with uneasiness." No it proclaims that we should enter into God's presence with confidence. Why? Because God desires to give us help. God has closed the distance between us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Further, Jesus Christ understands our problems, troubles, and temptations. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:14). Do not be intimidated to approach God. Reggie Jackson may need the ego-stroke of having someone afraid of him, but Jesus Christ does not. He waits for you to come to him with confidence. He waits to give you grace in your time of need. Christ my Coach, Steve Teel Copyright c. 2000 Steven Lloyd Teel |