Last night I cuddled up next to my beautiful 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son. It’s the place I love to be. However, it’s also the place where I received an eye-opening revelation.
We decided to watch one of my favorite movies of all time Rocky III. There was a part in the movie where Rocky was trying to avenge his first loss to Clubber Lang. He wanted to be a champion again but had lost his motivation to even know where to start. Haven’t we all been there? We want so desperately to get the fire back into our lives that we once had but it feels like an endless pursuit with no results. Rocky lost his will to be a champion. Then Apollo Creed, his new trainer, takes Rocky back to the old gym where he used to train in what appears to be a warehouse on Skid Row in Los Angeles. It’s old, it stinks, and it’s perfect. Then Apollo said something to Rocky so powerful that nearly put me in tears in that rather lifeless moment. He said, “You got to go back to where it all began to find your edge.”
Honestly, ever since my blood clots four months ago, I feel like I’ve lost my edge. I mean I know how to force myself to “Suck it up” but something was missing. It’s funny how God can give you one line from a movie and bring it all back home. Simply put, I have pastored a church for four months with a loss of edge. No excuses!
I’M GOING BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.
It’s time to pray like that teenage kid who was scared to preach his first sermon when I first came to LA. It’s time to serve with the tenacity of my first month when I went door to door just hoping one person would come to church. It’s time to love my wife like the first time we dated. It’s time to go back to where it all began. You see, most of the time we lose our edge is because we refuse to go back to the places of passion that built us. Sure, we weren’t all professionals back then, but we needed God. Losing your edge is a numb place to be. It’s funny that Rocky’s solution to regain his edge was found in a sweaty old gym. Just maybe, the answer to getting your edge back is in the simplicity of revisiting the landmark places you once gained so much strength. The answer just might be going back to where it all began. I know, for me, it’s time to visit some of those old places where it was raw, right, and radical. It’s the place to find the edge.
Pastor, we are praying for your renewal and restoration of the passion where it all began! God is good!
So truht I am in my 42 years and My second year of pastoring like a Senior Pastor and you are exatly rigth I have benn in ministry since my 14 years old and some times you have to come back to level A.
This was wonderfull write blessings from México City
I understand that that is how you felt and that no one can deny, but as one of your congregation, I never felt like you lost anything, at least it was not apparent. When one has a near-death experience like you did their lives usually do an about-face, but your life was already going in the direction most people would do an about-face to. Your about-face is “the place you love to be” more than anywhere else: close to your family. When you endorsed my new book, that was an about-face also. You saw the validity of what I was saying in it. Your experience with the blood clots gave you a new vantage point to see and do what is most important to do. God bless you, always.
Thanks for honesty and the punch in the gut. I too am a pastor that has lost his edge. Time to get back to what REALLY matters.
Pastor – you got your edge back!
Raw,right & radical! I love it! Just got back from a STM at the Dream Center the first week in July with our church. What we saw there set many of us on fire to bring it home! God is doing amazing things here because of what you do there. Thank you for letting us share in your dream. You ROCK!!! Praying for you.
Matthew,
Is it “fun” going to County Jail at 12:30 am on a Friday night to give a soul a ride home?
YES!…sometimes it is…lol.
I would encourage you or any reader of this post to remember the soul..your soul and how God refreshes our spirit through Christ Jesus.
We perfect and enlarge our spiritual life through work and self sacrifice for others…
Honest self-appraisals are a start… however its the action that makes a man enter the kingdom with childlike faith. A kingdom desperate to be received by a community you live in.
Take the next step…And may the grace of God fill you with love and clear visions of your power in Christ to change the direction of one life today.
Going for a walk…
Wow, I heard you preach last Sunday, and I would say if you lost your edge, I sure couldn’t tell! I don’t think I’ll ever forget that message, especially the part about the godly father/ungodly son, and vice versa–we all make choices and we are responsible for them. Very powerful!
As far as losing your edge, I think that is the danger for those of us in ministry–many of us can still “fake the funk” even though inwardly we are fading. . . I think it’s awesome that you are getting that edge back! Love the blog! And I always love your funny posts on Twitter–the “awkward moments” ones–hahahaha.
BAM! That was soooooo good! I’m turning 30 on Thursday and for some reason I’m allowing it to taunt me that I’m getting older. It’s a great reminder to keep that edge up! You’re a great inspiration Pastot Matthew and if we don’t meet here on earth I would definitely come knocking on your door in heaven! Keep the passion going!
Pastor thanks for this blog, even before I came across the add leading to your blog, the Spirit of God impressed in my heart for me to go back to where it all began, “meet Him at the burning bush”, for me, that is the Bible, His Word, basic instructions. Your blog simply confirmed… thanks again pastor.
Pastor Barnett.
I had the privilege of taking you to the Sacramento airport 9 years ago. I was impressed by your authenticity and kind spirit. I am blessed by your blog and your audacity to share with such openness. You are a true voice for God, and such a great example. God bless you.