One of my favorite television shows is NCIS, short for Naval Criminal Investigation Service. The show is centered around a team of 6 people solving crimes committed by or against members of the United States Navy and Marine Corp.
The leader of the team, Jethro Gibbs, is an ex Marine Sargent who walks quietly but carries a big stick. He is determined, driven, acts based upon his own convictions (summed up in 51 rules) and will fiercely defend and protect the members of his team. The rest of the members has a love / fear relationship with him. It is that relationship that drives the team to take professional and personal risks with the goal to succeed and solve the crime.
During the course of the each show, a member of the team will get off track. They will begin to talk about stuff not related to solving the case or personal life stuff will begin to have an impact on the performance of the team. One of the ways the "Gibbs" corrects the individual is to give that member a slap on the back of their head. It is a playful yet effective way to get the member team to focus on what is important right now.
Psalm 141:5 we see that God can and does give you the needed "head slap" correction.
Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.
In this verse, God uses the "head slap" of a righteous man. To help us focus on what is important right now. Who is a righteous man? In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read
For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we (Christians) might become the righteousness of God.
Those in spiritual authority and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ would be righteous people in our lives. People the Holy Spirit will use to get us focused on what God tells us is important.
Who has God placed in your life to give you the needed "head slap". In my life I have a group of guys I hang with on Thursday mornings, long time Christian friends and family. Many a time, God has used them to not so gently get me back on course. On course to finish my degree, on course to forgive those I feel wronged me, on course to see God's Word from the position of grace and love.
If you have a good "head slapper" in your life, drop them a note and thanking them for all the blessings (kindness and oil) you have received through them.
A few weeks ago, I preached for the first time at DaySpring Presbyterian Church. The sermon is now available on line. Click here to listen. If you feel God is calling you to be my "head slapper" in this circumstance, send me an e-mail or comment below.
Thanks for all your practical and spiritual support!
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