George Strait’s gift
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It’s been a month since the horrific July 4 storm parked itself over the Guadalupe River, and death and devastation occurred. As my husband has often said, “The grace of God means that he must redeem all that he allows.” Nothing can redeem the lost lives except the knowledge that eternity has provided the believers with a life that far exceeds the life they left here on earth. Please God, may the families and friends left behind experience the peace and hope of God’s redemption.
The apostle Paul was under house arrest in Rome, uncertain of his future, when he wrote: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul experienced a life-changing day on the road to Damascus. It took him years to fully process what happened that day, but Paul spent the rest of his life fully devoted to his goal. He knew Jesus had gifted him to teach and preach Christian theology, and his devotion changed the world. His words are still changing the world.
How do you use your giftedness to do the same?
George Strait’s concert
George Strait offered a concert to a group of people he knew could bless those whose lives had been devastated by a flood. At the time of this writing, the “Strait to the Heart” concert has raised more than $6.25 million.
The concert was held in an arena in Boerne, Texas. The arena floor held tables that reportedly sold for $1000 a plate. There was an assortment of guests, including Max Lucado, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and a surprise visit from Garth Brooks.
In his Facebook post Governor Abbott wrote: “Last night, I joined the King @GeorgeStrait & @garthbrooks as they raised over $6 million for Texas flood victims. Texas will recover—by God’s grace & our grit. With this support, homes will be rebuilt, communities restored, & peace returned.”
The governor also spoke to those at the concert that night. He said, “There’s a saying that we’ve all repeated many times: pray as though everything is going to be taken care of by God, but act as though everything is up to you,” Abbott told the crowd. “While we have prayed endlessly, I want you to know that we have acted endlessly also. Texas first responders have rescued or evacuated more than 1,000 people. Lives were saved because of those first responders. Give it up for our fearless first responders.”
It seems as if everyone at that concert and many more throughout the country did “give it up” to help. According to AI, the final amount of donations raised will likely exceed one hundred million dollars.
I’m proud to be a Texan, even with the heat of August!
George Strait’s example to all of us
According to a Wikipedia article, George Strait is one of country music’s best-selling artists. He has sold more than 120 million albums, and his songs have remained a staple on country music stations, but that is not what matters most to George Strait.
Strait eloped with his high-school sweetheart, Norma, in 1971. They married in Mexico and are still married today. Their daughter, Jenifer, was born the next year. A decade later, they had a son, George Jr., also called “Bubba.”
George Strait and his wife experienced their own tragedy when their daughter, Jenifer, was killed in a car accident at age 13. They set up a foundation in her name to do charitable work that continues today. The Straits are people of faith but are also intensely private about their personal lives. Most articles about George will mention “faith and humility” to define his character.
When a person loses a child, that tragedy becomes a defining moment in their life. After the horrible tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary school, where twenty-six children and teachers lost their lives, Strait said in an interview, “I know what these parents are goin’ through. It’s the worst thing that can happen to you in your life. To lose a child, there’s nothin’ worse than that.”
George Strait, his son Bubba, and his writing partner Dean Dillon wrote a song after Sandy Hook titled I Believe that was included on an album, thanks to Norma’s insistence. I hope you will listen to the song and read the lyrics because it defines the strength and faith the Strait family leaned on after their own tragic loss. It is that belief that continues to motivate their lives today.
We all should be inspired to use our lives for God’s glory and purpose in that same way.
How are you using your gifts for God’s glory?
It’s comforting to read about the faith of people like George Strait and how their faith can bring about so much good in our world. Greg Abbott’s faith is evident in his political work. So many people of influence can do so much good in the world.
But what about all of us “regular” people? We don’t hold a political office, we haven’t sold millions of albums, and our lives travel in much smaller spheres of influence. At least that is what we think today.
The apostle Paul wrote letters to small churches by today’s standards. He was under house arrest in Rome, and never in a million years could he have imagined that those letters would become our words of Scripture today. He knew God had gifted him and called him to a ministry. God was working through Paul’s life to help teach and guide the people in the first century, but he had no way of knowing how God would use him in every century to come.
Paul knew he would use his life and gifts for God’s glory. George Strait and Governor Abbott are also aiming for that goal. Paul called it “the upward goal” of life, and he taught all of us to “press on” and aim for it.
Our spiritual influence
Our success as Christians will not be measured by the size of our sphere of influence. Instead, our success will be measured by the aim we had. Our spiritual aim is our “upward calling,” and the effort we make to achieve that goal. Paul wrote, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
What has God called you to accomplish with your life? How has God gifted you to fulfill his calling?
You will never know, this side of heaven, what God will accomplish through your faithfulness. George Strait grew up on a ranch, married as a teenager, joined the service, went to school to be a rancher, and then became an amazing country singer who has helped raise millions of dollars for people who need help. He used his gifts and his influence to serve God’s purpose.
ALL of us can share the same “upward call of God in Christ Jesus” in our own unique way. Again, success is measured by the aim of our goal and our effort to serve Jesus through our giftedness.
I hope we all will have a faithful and brilliantly focused day today. George Strait, Greg Abbott, and the apostle Paul would cheer us on in that direction. So will Jesus.
