George
Foreman is the former two-time world’s heavyweight boxing champion and known
for his powerful knockout punches. On his 19th birthday, he got so
drunk that he couldn’t remember what happened that night. The next day, he ran
into a friend who had been badly beaten up. His eye was swollen and he had
cuts and bruises on his face. George wanted to get revenge on the person who
hurt his friend. He said, “Man, you look terrible! Who did that to you?”
His
friend looked at him in disbelief and said, “Are you kidding me? You beat me up
last night!”
George
was stunned because he couldn’t remember beating him up. This was a turning
point in his life. The hurt he inflicted on his friend jolted him so much that
George never took another drink of alcohol after that. (George Foreman, God in My Corner, Thomas Nelson, 2007).
Although
you might not physically beat up someone, have you ever verbally beat up
someone? We can hurt others without realizing the damage we’ve done. Husbands
and wives get into heated arguments and never realize they’ve shoved an
invisible knife through their spouse’s heart. Without a turning point, it could
lead them to the divorce court. Abusive parents scream hateful things at their
children, never realizing how it has devastated them. Without a turning point,
future generations could be affected.
Change
doesn’t occur without a turning point. The only way to stop hurting others is for
the light bulb to come on in our minds. Our eyes must be opened to the pain we
have inflicted. The Prodigal Son didn’t change until “he came to his senses” in
the pigpen. This was his turning point. He got up, and went back home with a
changed attitude toward his father (Luke 15:17-20). Saul was on the road to Damascus
to persecute Christians when he was struck down by a blinding light. This was
his turning point. He changed from murdering Christians to preaching about
Jesus (Acts 9:1-20).
Think
back on your life. Have you ever had a turning point? Have you hurt your
spouse, or your parents, or your children, or anyone, without realizing the
damage you’ve done? It’s not too late to change. Today can be your turning
point. Don't just say that you're sorry. Prove it with a change in behavior.
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ACCIDENT OR DIVINE
INTERVENTION?
We have 500-600 people who receive this devotional via email. Occasionally the
email service goes crazy and sends out one of the previous Devotionals without
telling us. This happened earlier this week when a devotional from last May on “Rejection”
was accidentally sent out. We have no idea how that happened, but maybe God
wanted someone to read it.
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Does the future scare you? Read
The Sure Cure for Worry
Are
you depressed or feel rejected? Read Slaying Your Giants
Does
your situation look so desperate that it’s hard for you to imagine how God can
intervene? Matthew 17:24-27 tells an amazing story about Peter catching a fish
with a coin in its mouth. This story is recorded in Scripture for a reason—to show
you that God can do the impossible to provide your needs.
