Precious Father...

When our family needs to laugh, or have a distraction from the busyness of life we watch (again for the hundredth time), refer to, or quote lines from Nacho Libre, 2006. It is one of those wacky movies that has become a part of our family culture and inside joke between us when someone incidentally quotes a phrase or word from the movie, “but I do”, “duties”, “nitty-gritty”, or “it’s the best”. My favorite line in the movie is when Nacho is in the chapel, kneeling and praying at the altar, after a long night of losing badly in the wrestling ring. He prays, “Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to wrestle and then made me such a stinky warrior? (sniff, sniff) I smell cookies.” Nacho’s robe catches on fire from an altar candle, and he runs out of the chapel leaving a trail of smoke.

From the first time I watched this corny, slapstick movie that line grabbed my attention, for I can relate to Nacho’s prayer. “Why God did you call me here to be your man to lead your sheep when I am such a stinky shepherd?” I don’t know about you, but there are days when I feel that statement echo in my heart. When I feel like I messed up, when I feel like I let somebody down, put my foot in my mouth, delivered a dry, forgettable sermon, or just generally feeling like I am losing ground as God’s Shepherd to lead and care for His flock. For me, the danger of staying in the treacherous bog of discouragement and insecurity could easily lead to frustration, anger, defensiveness, apathy, overcompensation, disillusionment, cynicism, and becoming demoralized. That’s not good. From those feelings often exaggerated responses come to mind: going to the happiest place on earth (Disneyland) for two weeks by myself where everybody is smiling at me, watching Veggie Tales videos all day with Larry the Cucumber, repeating “God made you special and he loves you very much”, yelling at someone, or even dreaming of driving an airport shuttle full-time.

…but God doesn’t want me to linger in that bog of discouragement. He wants to reach down, lead me out, and encourage me as His undershepherd. So, when I find myself muttering Nacho’s prayer under my breath, “Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to wrestle and then made me such a stinky warrior?” I need to pause and remember the one who called me to his service will equip, strengthen and encourage me each step of the journey like others he called: Noah, Gideon, David, Peter to name just a few. I am sure you have many scripture encouragements that now come to mind.

Writing the blog is cathartic and healing in many ways, and my hope is as you take a few minutes to read it and respond, that you may find encouragement and safety in our gathering as Shepherds around the campfire.

Campfire Question: Got a verse, a personal story, an encouragement to another shepherd who may be thinking “Why did you make me such a stinky warrior?”