The Glocal Church

I know it has been quite some time since I posted my last thoughts. However, while taking a much needed sabbatical from my doctoral studies, I haven’t focused much on things other than my family and the ministry in my congregation, up here in suburban St. Louis…For which I am truly grateful!

At the end of October, I wrapped up a long and tedious Trimester, and am now preparing to enter into my “Dissertation Project” phase of my degree program…Which upon completion next summer, I will graduate with my doctorate…YEAH!!! Still, it has proved as quite a fulfilling endeavor!!!

After that grueling stretch that led up to November 1st, my wife and I planned on taking our 6 year old daughter on an extended weekend to Chicago….We each got to pick one thing we wanted to do. My wife wanted to visit the Navy Pier. My daughter wanted to go to the “American Girl” store, which we did multiple times. However, all I really wanted to do was attend the Broadway hit musical “Wicked,”  which was written as a prequel to the “Wizard of Oz.” It tells the unknown stories of the witches of Oz…It was AMAZING!!! I’ve never been quite as captivated in my life…The live theatre…the beauty in the story, and the amazing plot twist still provides a rush of adrenaline as I think back to the unknown story of the witches of Oz, especially Elphiba…the witch we all know as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Without giving away the plot and ruining the incredible story for any of you who may see it, as it tours the country, I have to provide one detail about this fascinating piece of fiction.

Unlike the great classic “The Wizard of Oz”…the villain in “Wicked” is not whom you think. The true villain has no magical powers or political sway…the villain is nothing more than a con artist…It proves as an amazing plot twist.

Not long after we returned to St. Louis from our weekend in the windy city, I went into our local Barnes and Noble and found a great read on the development and production of “Wicked.”

In that book, one statement stole my thoughts for some time…The musical’s producer and brainchild, Marc Pratt, made a statement regarding the villain. Pratt said: “The ‘Villain’ has no powers; he merely exploits the fear and ignorance of others!” His statement struck a chord that resonated deep within my heart…and still does every time I think about it!

As Christ followers, our enemy is Satan…And Satan; just like the villain in “Wicked” has no powers at all…He merely exploits our ignorance and fears to accomplish his work of thwarting the work of God!

Wow…what an amazing epiphany that was for me!!!

We all know that Satan has no power over us, because as Christ followers, we’ve been covered with Christ’s atoning love and the Armor of God.

So I’ll end with this thought…The next time things seem to be crumbling around you, and you feel your life is out of control…surrender your fears and ignorance to God as you empower yourself by following God’s precepts in His Word, and the promptings of His Holy Spirit…By doing so…You will more easily see your victory over your already defeated enemy!!!

Paul wrote the following words to the church at Corinth: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?” 

Remember “We are more than conquers through Christ Jesus our Lord” …and Satan has no power over us!!!