Staying on top, being the best at any job, skill or trade isn’t easy. If you are fortunate to reach the summit of a profession, there is always someone new, stronger or younger ready to take your position. In the film Top Gun, Cougar was the number one fighter pilot in his squadron before a mid-air altercation with a bogey caused him to lose his edge. Thus, Maverick played by Tom Cruise and Goose, Anthony Edwards, were waiting in the wings to take over.
“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?” – Mark 7:18
In the first century, the twelve disciples were the Cougar among spiritual leaders. Although Luke 10:1 refers to 72 others, a minor league for training to become elite disciples, these twelve men were chosen to be part of Jesus’ flight school. Nonetheless, their exposure to Jesus’ miracles, teaching and wisdom caused their hearts to become numb. Thus, Jesus goes off on their flawed thinking, trying to reprogram their minds set on human traditions. When Judas Iscariot lost his edge, committing suicide following his betrayal of Jesus, Matthias was selected to take his place in Acts 1:26.
For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” – Mark 7:21-23.
Today, America’s churches is searching for a new Top Gun, to soar above the sinful nature lurking to attack hearts. This internal battle has caused many great rising stars to crash and burn before reaching their full potential, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6. In the skies, there are spiritual bogeys, demons, evil spirits and powers of darkness hoping to shoot you down. Despite these adversaries, Jesus has equipped his crew with spiritual weapons, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. May the leaders of the future be armed, 1 Peter 4:1, with the right stuff to maintain their edge fueled by strength in Christ, Philippians 4:13.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 