19
Jan '19
“Vegas Rules”
19
Jan '19
“Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right.”
“You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” 1 Samuel 12:4-5
Does anyone know what the term ‘Vegas Rules’ is? If you remember not so long ago,
there was a commercial that talked about getaways in Las Vegas. The commercial would
usually end by saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” This stuck with me in
my walk of faith particularly when having controversial and private conversations. I
know one should not hold secrets, but there are times where it is paramount that we do so
for it is written, “A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can
keep a confidence.” (Proverbs 11:13) Early in my career, a person at work had a
problem, and they did not feel comfortable talking to anyone. They asked if they could
talk with me. Not knowing this person very well, I was curious as to their motives. So, I
asked why they did not feel comfortable talking with their significant other? They said
two things that stuck with me. First, they felt that I was a good man who would give
them wise counsel. And second, they knew they could trust me, and did not feel they
could talk with anyone else. The first one was easy to buy into because I was Christian,
but the second one? Now let’s not construe this as my doubting my own trustworthiness.
However, this was more about my reputation. They had friends who did a lot of talking,
and in their inner circle, my name came up as someone to be trusted. It became a theme
as this would be the first of many conversations I would have with people who I at times
barely even knew. Whenever someone felt unsure of opening up, I utter the two words
and started with: Vegas Rules. At that moment, they immediately began to talk.
As Christians, we have fundamental principles of not only love but also trustworthiness
to uphold. We cannot survive without God’s word. Thus, what are we without our
word? Not worth very much. The story of Samuel is a case and point. He was a man so
trusted, he was allowed not only to name the first King of Israel but also an additional
one. Why? Because he always followed God’s will from the moment he was called by
God to do so. The impressive thing about this is that Samuel did not even know who
God was when called upon, but yet, God trusted him. And He was rewarded as Samuel
followed God faithfully until his death. He was often chosen by God to bear witness to
His greatness, and because he was faithful to God and his word, the people of Israel
entrusted him with all important decisions, including the naming of their kings. We, too,
must be vigilant in following the word of God not only in reading, but in living.
Someone told me long ago that the word of God is a living thing. It lives within each of
us, and as our lives embrace its teachings, we become living testimony of it.
us, and as our lives embrace its teachings, we become living testimony of it.
Trustworthiness is paramount in our relationship with God. Jesus spoke of this when
discussing of readiness for the coming of the Lord saying, “When someone has been
given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with
much, even more will be required (Luke 12:48b).” Like Samuel, our words carry weight
discussing of readiness for the coming of the Lord saying, “When someone has been
given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with
much, even more will be required (Luke 12:48b).” Like Samuel, our words carry weight
only by us following Jesus’ example. That is what gives our word meaning. Our desire
to follow the example set by Him makes our words credible. Let us make every effort to
be the people God trusted us to be. Can you be trusted with that which God cares for?
How can you use your position of trust to share God’s vision with others? My prayer is
we live out God’s will to where others confide trusting us like ‘Vegas rules.’ Amen.
to follow the example set by Him makes our words credible. Let us make every effort to
be the people God trusted us to be. Can you be trusted with that which God cares for?
How can you use your position of trust to share God’s vision with others? My prayer is
we live out God’s will to where others confide trusting us like ‘Vegas rules.’ Amen.
BLOG AUDIO
Kent
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