Last fall, my husband and I celebrated his birthday at a World Series game where we actually got to cheer for our Texas Rangers. We ended up sitting way up in the upper deck during the game. And since we had heard that the crowds were going to be a mess, we got to the game really early. So early, in fact, that we had time to check out most of the ballpark prior to the first pitch. That's how we discovered the snipers. Yes, there were men with guns located all over the top of the ballpark.
Since former Presidents George Bush and George W. Bush were present to throw out the first pitches, we concluded that the tight security was probably Secret service. I can't imagine what it would be like to constantly be on the lookout for threats to the President. But Secret Service agents play an incredible role in protecting our nation's leaders and our economy (they were formed as an agency to investigate counterfeit currency.) These agents take their jobs seriously. They are so serious, that they would willingly sacrifice themselves to protect our nation's leaders. These are special people.
Secret Service agents are essentially the modern cupbearer. Throughout history, kings and leaders have utilized the services of cupbearers to prevent being poisoned. To be a cupbearer, one had to be loyal and trustworthy in order to get close to the king. I love the story in the Bible about the cupbearer, Nehemiah. Just like the Secret Service agents at the baseball game, his role was to be present with the King and to be willing to sacrifice his own life in order to prevent the King's assassination. I don't know if he ever had to attend a sporting event with the King, but I'm pretty sure the King never sipped a soda without Nehemiah sampling it first.
If you read the book of Nehemiah you kind of feel like you're reading his blog. The book is written in the first person, and he describes his detailed conversations, prayers, and thoughts. It's very cool to read about how he had a burden for the children of Israel and used his position as cupbearer to do something about his burden. He doesn't just say a prayer and sit around crying because the Jews have been dispersed throughout the land. Instead, he asks his boss, the king for his permission and blessing to go rebuild Jerusalem's walls and to bring the people back to their city. This guy eventually goes from cupbearer to Governor of Judah all because he has faith that God can use him to change history. It's an incredible story.
Wouldn't it be cool to hear a story like this today? A secret service agent has a conversation with the President and seeks permission to build a Christian University or an organization where Christians can unite and spread the Gospel. It seems far-fetched, but it's not. God can use anyone to accomplish greatness for the cause of Christ. To be used by God, you don't need a doctorate in theology, you don't have to be "on staff" at your local church, and you don't have to be someone who has read the Bible 5 x through. God doesn't want a person who thinks they're "qualified" for service. God wants a believer whose heart mourns for the lost and the hurting. God wants to use the person who is willing to be dragged through the mud if it's God's will. God can use anyone, even a Secret Service Agent. Don't think that God can't use you. If your heart is willing, God can do whatever He wants with your life.
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