Is He Tired Of Chasing Me? [Brandon’s Brain – Issue #6]

By Brandon Lewis [Founder of the Tennessee Conservative] –

Paw Paw wore blue Dickie coveralls, brogan boots, a white tank top and boxers 6 days a week. I know because I often roomed with him and loved to snoop around in his dresser drawers as a kid. So, I could always tell it was Sunday when I got up in the morning by looking at my Grandfather. He would have been up smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee by the firelight of the propane stove since about 4AM.

On Sunday, he wore khaki suit pants, a white button up, dress shoes and a brown belt. While he dressed up on Sunday, he rarely went to church – but Maw Maw rarely ever missed. She would put me and my sister in that long, green sedan – which was immaculately kept in the concrete block garage and rarely driven – and take us to worship.

It started off with Sunday school in a small room at the back of an a-frame style country church. Service began with songs out of the red-back hymnal played on an upright piano and two-part harmony. Our pastor was very, very nice. However, he was one of those “A-ha” preachers. Meaning, he said “A-ha” as a sort of punctuation mark at the end of every sentence in a loud, emphatic and strange manner. This is a rare cultural phenomenon in the south I still can’t quite explain.

I loved going to church. It was safe. The people were nice. At least two or three ladies would give me spearmint gum. This was when God first started chasing me, as far as I can recall. Various families would invite me to other churches from school. It was known that my upbringing was rather rough and they did this as a kindness of sorts.

The first time I was baptized was in a cold creek below Pine Grove Baptist Church #2 – I think I was about 9 years old. Being a particularly hard case, I was baptized again at a Church of God in a large tank indoors in my junior high years. I suppose they thought the first one didn’t take.

The Lord has put people of faith in my path for as long as I can remember. He has fed, clothed and provided me with amazing experiences for 42 years without ceasing. He sees me as I am and meets me there because he knows I can’t do it without him. He is still chasing me now even as the gray overtakes my scraggly beard. He must be out of breath, fatigued and tired by now. That’s a lot of work for one lost lamb. That’s a lot of sin for one small man. Why not let me go? Aren’t there others that are easier to catch? The meek, mild and virtuous? Those without the struggles I have? Those who get it right?

Well, thankfully, Jesus came for sinners – not the men righteous in their own eyes. It’s not about what you do. It’s about who you know. All the thief on the cross said was, “Jesus, remember me…”Luckily for that thief, Jesus lived the life he could not live. He died a death the man couldn’t die. He was resurrected, defeating sin, shame, grave and devil. All he asks is this: Give me your sin and faith… I will give you my righteousness and eternal life. It is the great, unconditional exchange.

He knows what you did last night. He knows your every thought. Yet he loves you with an unbreakable love.

Is your faith weak, small and wavering? Do not worry… so was Peter’s. So was Thomas’. So was John’s. They all fell away and fell short. All you need is a mustard seed of faith. God, you see, does the rest. “Lord, I believe, will you help my unbelief…” These words will plant a seed and God will grow it into something beautiful and mysterious in your life. If you’ll let him.

This Easter Sunday, know that HE IS RISEN! And his grace is more than enough for you. May you and your family find peace, love and hope. May his Spirit be in your midst. Praise God from whom all blessings flow…Praise him all creatures here below…Praise him above the heavenly host…Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost…Amen.

Brandon Lewis, Founder The Tennessee Conservative