Standing In For God

Standing In for God

[He] is the messenger of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

Malachi 2:7

An active member of the United States Marine Corps was attending some college courses between deployments. He had completed extended missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan and expected to return to the Middle East in a few weeks. One of the courses he was taking was taught by a professor who was an avowed atheist.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came into the room, looked up at the ceiling, and issued this challenge: “God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I will give you exactly fifteen minutes.” The lecture room fell silent. You could have heard a pin drop.

Ten long minutes dragged by and nothing happened. Then the professor stood up, held out his arms, and proclaimed, “Here I am, God. I’m still waiting.”

It had finally come down to the last couple of minutes when the marine suddenly got out of his chair, walked to the front of the room, and clobbered the professor in finest marine fashion, knocking him completely off the platform and onto the floor. The professor was out cold.

The marine went back to his seat and sat there silently, waiting. The other students were dumbstruck and looked on in silent anticipation of what would happen when the professor woke up.

The professor eventually regained consciousness. Noticeably shaken, he got to his feet as he rubbed his bruised jaw, looked at the marine, and asked, “What is the matter with you? Why did you do that?”

The marine calmly replied, “God was busy protecting American soldiers, who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So he sent me to stand in for him.”

Father, if the time ever comes for me to act as your messenger in this world, please give me the courage and faith to do it without question. I want to be your faithful servant. Amen.