In the Pocket

Part 2 of a Leadership Series: from John 14:28-31

Last weekend my husband preached a message titled “In the Pocket”. In the pocket is a football term which describes the safe circle the defense forms around a quarterback. If that pocket is working, the quarterback has the potential to perform well, make good decisions and walk away with a victory. But what happens when the pocket no longer feels like a safe place?

This summer I spoke four times a week for seven weeks. My messages all centered around the idea that when we make ourselves small, God can do big things (John 3:30).  Whenever I speak, Jesus usually gives me the privilege of living it out in real life. So, I wasn’t surprised when I felt weak, broken and small halfway through the summer.

One Tuesday before I spoke Clayton asked me, “How do you feel?”.  To be very honest, the last thing I wanted to do was walk out on that stage. I felt out of the pocket.

So I turned to him said, “I don’t feel anything. I am going out of there out of obedience to Jesus and my commitment to Clayton King Ministries. I believe God can do big things even if I feel small.” I obeyed, walked off stage, fell to my knees and cried thanking God for the victory.

A man came up to me afterward and said, “When you walked on that stage, before you even opened your mouth, I could see the Spirit of God on you. God wants me to tell you to keep moving forward!” For four more weeks I stayed in the game. Then after my last morning session, with tears in my eyes, I lifted my hands high to heaven and yelled, “I’m done!”

The weak part of me wanted to be done forever, but Jesus said “Move forward Sharie.” Terrified, I entered the pocket last week at both Anderson University Chapel and Clemson FCA. When I stood on the stage, I felt like a bench-warmer taking the court. But, I obeyed.

After speaking at Clemson, Clayton and I walked to the car hand in hand. He asked, “How do you feel?” I smiled, “I feel victorious because I loved my God tonight by obeying his call on my life.”

In John 14:28-31, Jesus warns the disciples that Satan is coming for him (this is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death). But, Jesus assures them, “He has no hold on me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the father and I do exactly what the Father commanded me.”

Jesus gave his life to send the world two specific messages: I love the Father and I would do exactly what the He commands, even if it means my own death. We know he didn’t feel like obeying because in Luke 22:42 he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” But his love for the Father was stronger than his feelings.

It’s not easy to obey when you don’t feel it (when you’re not in your pocket). But I’ve found there’s an inexplicable strength found when I shift my focus from what I’m doing, to who I’m loving. Obedience flows from a desire to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. There is power in the pocket, because God honors a man or woman who obeys out of love, even when she or he isn’t feeling it!

Have you been here? Have you struggled through a time of tough obedience? If you haven’t yet, take courage and stay in the pocket! God is able “to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine”. (Ephesians 3:20)

© 2015 by Sharie King.  All rights reserved.

That was Sweet. What should I Tweet?

• Jesus gave his life to send the world two specific messages: I love the Father and I would do exactly what the He commands. http://goo.gl/FL6179
• There’s an inexplicable strength found when I shift my focus from what I’m doing, to who I’m loving. http://goo.gl/FL6179
• Obedience flows from a desire to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. http://goo.gl/FL6179