Loosen your grip

Has anyone ever told you to "loosen your grip"? In sports, that's not good. When playing tennis, baseball, badminton, football, racquetball or other activities where control is mandatory, a tight grip on the ball, bat, racquet, etc., is the key in controlling the action. Loosening the grip, even a little, could send the bat or racquet flying; or send the ball careening in an awkward direction. You normally want to do what Pastor Charles Swindoll exhorts, and that is to strengthen your grip.

But today I heard Pastor Denis McBride tell me -- and millions of other listeners -- to loosen our grip. Why? I'll tell you, but first I should mention that we often listen to Denis on "Rejoice In The Lord" on Daystar television (channel 3 in Northwest Arkansas) on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. I recommend this ministry.

This past March, Carol and I drove to Lakeland, Fla., to attend a writer's conference that was held at Southeastern University. My brother, Paul, is a professor who created the Creative Writing course for the school and teaches it. (He has subsequently been appointed as the chair of the Humanities Department.)

As we were planning our trip, I said to Carol, "Precious, we will drive through Pensacola, Fla.; let's stop and visit Denis McBride."

"He is the pastor of Campus Church which meets at Pensacola Christian College. He's busy, and might not have time to see us."

"We'll see." I went to my computer, emailed the school, and let my request be made known. About three days later I got an e-mail with an affirmation of an appointment at 1:45 p.m. on March 28 -- but only for fifteen minutes. Carol was right: he's a busy man.

What a delight to meet Pastor Denis McBride! An educator and administrator for the Pensacola Christian Academy (K-12) for more than 20 years, he was surprised when he was asked to be the Campus Church pastor. Our daughter, Rebecca, worked with the Academy's "After-School Program" (tending children as they waited for their parents) for 3 years under Brother McBride, but they didn't make personal contact.

As we sat in the waiting room, a man came to the door. "I am Denis McBride. Welcome to Pensacola Christian College. What brings you to our school?"

After a brief introduction and response, we entered discussion.

"Brother McBride, I really enjoy the clarity of your messages and the spirit in which you present them. You are a Christ-centered teacher; a Godly instructor. That must be why you are so effective in presenting your sermons."

He agreed that he is a professional instructor, but that God has blessed him with the gift of teaching; and maybe that's why the Lord effectively used him as an educator and now as a pastor. I really liked Denis McBride as I watched him on the television, but I quickly learned to love him.

During that ever-so-brief meeting, Carol and I had the privilege of getting acquainted with a man we had seen and heard for about six years. He is a down-to-earth man with a dynamic relationship with the Lord. And after meeting him personally, we perceive even more depth in the messages he presents as pastor. Needless to say -- but I'll say it, anyway -- our lives have been enriched by meeting him.

Let's come back to the phrase he used, "loosen your grip." He was not conflicting with Charles Swindoll. If we understand that strengthening or tightening our grip produces greater control, then loosening our grip releases control, right? Right.

Brother McBride was referring to how we humans endeavor to control our lives. When things seem to go wrong, we tighten up and try harder to control our surroundings. Even with knuckles turning white, we often fail because our human efforts are misdirected if we don't allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

It reminds me of a five-year-old attempting to drive a greyhound bus. He doesn't know how the bus operates; he doesn't know the rules of the road; and he isn't big enough to drive the rig.

In like manner, we humans have a difficult time understanding how life is supposed to be lived; we quite often misunderstand God's rules for living; and we are not wise enough to correctly control our surroundings.

However, through studying Scripture and listening to wise counsel, we can learn to relax, loosen our grip, and allow the Master of Life to help us. Thank you, Pastor McBride.

-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, mentor and president of the Siloam Springs Writers Guild. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.