The Blessings of a Spiritual Butt-Whuppin' (pt.2)

          One memory that stands-out from my childhood is a warning my mother issued about discipline, "If I ever have to chase you down to give you a spanking, the whippin' you get will be worse than the one you would've gotten when I catch you!" Now, I did a lot of really stupid things while growing up, but the one dumb thing I never did was run from a whippin' - I knew Momma meant business!

          I have seen this same principle apply in both secular and spiritual arenas. People who "run" from or rebel against constructive criticism and discipline continue to make poor choices. The consequences they could avoid altogether hits them with increased intensity when their mistakes "catch-up" with them!

          The Lord has placed three wonderful resources in every Believer's life to bring about the blessing of discipline: The Holy Bible, The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Authority (pastors, teachers, mentors, etc.). He has used these resources throughout my own life to help confront sins I've committed - bring mistakes to my attention - and guide me in the process of correction and restoration.

          Several years ago, I was pondering all the above when a poem began to form in my mind. It's a story about a foolish backwoods fella who resists a "spiritual butt-whuppin'" from a kindly, old pastor. I've included it below and pray it will be a blessing to you!

 

Runnin' from the Whippin' Always Hurts Ya in the End!

One fine misty mornin’, our shepherd was astormin’ ovah our dandy collection of misguided affections.

And Whew! You ain’t nevah seen sweat arollin’ off sheep all fat and swollen from adigestin’ all them worldly yums!

 

Well, afta that sermon, here came High-n-Mighty Herman to set the Man o’God straight!

"Lookahere, Pastor Sir, your words done gone and caused a stir ‘mongst this here congregation.

You just too religious – soundin’ terbly suspicious! What’s up with all this interrogation???”

 

Good Ole Pastor cracked a smile, “Herman, let’s you and me go chat awhile.

You see, that stirrin’ is a smackin’ on your hand to let you know you're aheadin’ for some woe

iffn you don’t stop eaten that worldly pie.

Cain’tcha undastand that a spankin’ on the hand grows ya from a baby to a better man?

Now, it might sting a little, but your soul’ll be fitter than a fiddle when the playin’ comes to end.

And, Son, it’s on my head to prevent you from bein’ mislead; I’m here to help you make amends!”

Well, Ole Herman, that sorry sheep, sat and thought (but not too deep)

'bout what this here Man o’God just said.

And with impatient sigh, Mr. High-n-Mighty replied,

"Well, thank ya muchly kindly, but keep The Word offa my behindly!

I smell smoke, so fire must be burnin’!

I like my worldly pie, and I cain’t undastand why I gots to listen to all this chastisement!

Pain ain’t my way…and that’s alls I gotta say!”

 

Hmmmph…Ole Pastor kept on grinnin’, tho his eyes started thinnin’

and splained to Brother Herman (what in itself could be yet anotha sermon) –

“Herman! You go on ahead and eat your pie, but you best remember this:

You can try like fire to outrun the wind,

but runnin’ from the whippin’ always hurts ya in the END!"

 

Proverbs 19:20

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.