I recently saw a question on Facebook: “What was the first concert you attended?” That wasn’t hard for me. It was April 27, 1965, and the Herman’s Hermits were coming to Wedgewood Park in Oklahoma City. My buddies and I were going. We had $1.50 for the ticket and we wanted to see one of the hottest groups of our time.
It was one of the most memorable happenings in my first 14 years of life. The concert was “swell” and seeing them in person was something I never thought would ever happen. Everything went well that night except for one thing … thoughtless people, larger than 5’ 7”, kept cutting in on me and hindering my view. (The concert was outside and we were all standing up.)
Fifty-four years later, that long-ago experience was brought to mind during our study of Galatians 5:7 (NIV) “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” I do not believe one single Christian exists that has not had to overcome the obstacle of someone (or something) cutting in on them in an attempt to keep them from obeying the truth and remaining faithful servants of our Lord.
You can rest assured I overcame that 1967 crisis because I wanted to hear “Silhouettes,” “I’m Henry the 8th I Am” and “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” from one of my favorite bands. Nothing was going to stop me that night! HOWEVER, I am much more determined, by the grace of God and by my love for Him, to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” and “Come, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”
Let me encourage YOU to STAND UP! Take your place in the kingdom of God and DO NOT LET ANYONE or ANYTHING hinder you from your ultimate goal of an eternal life in the presence of God! This world is filled to the brim with obstacles. Do not stumble over them! Remain steadfast in His family and clear those obstacles from your path. You can, because God made you that way.