The Greatest Guardian

II Timothy 1:11-14

For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day the deposit I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

When I last wrote our devotionals in July, I mentioned the “Night Ministry” that I began as part of my Supervised Ministry classes. SupMin was a group of second year seminarians who agreed to be supervised in a ministry of their own choosing. The supervision was supplied by both the professor overseeing the class and the rest of the seminarians in that class. We met weekly to report on what we had experienced so that the professor and class could offer a critique it what had happened.

I had one experience I will never forget. It happened in a club where I had had a good deal of success and was appreciated and valued by those who worked there. (Just as a reminder, my “Night Ministry” took place in the bars and strip joints of downtown Atlanta in early and mid-70’s and I did so conspicuously wearing a clerical collar.) On this night, one of the dancers requested I come to the back of the club so we could discuss the family problems she was having. As we we worked our way through the crowded floor, we passed a group of four Marines, in uniform, drinking together at a table. One of them asked the dancer who I was and she responded that I was “her priest” (she was Catholic). The Marine’s response was, “If he’s a #%$@ priest, then I’m #%$@  monkey’s uncle.” In her anger, she dumped the entire tray of drinks she had brought to the table in their laps and took off like a shot to the safety of the dressing room in back. That left me standing next to a table of four enraged Marines. They immediately informed me of the violent acts they intended for the dancer. In my head, I remained calm (I’m not sure how that came across to them) and told them that I couldn’t let them do that. They asked how I was going to do that. I had no answer so I just pulled up a chair and sat down. For some reason they did the same. 

I have no idea why, but it was the smallest of the four who became their spokesman, perhaps because he had received the bulk or fluids showered upon them. He informed me that they were going to take me out into the parking lot and do to me what they had moments before announced they would do to the dancer. I told them that I was completely confident that they were up to that challenge, but that I was not going to return violence for violence. That simple line disarmed him. A look of total disbelief came over his face. “You’re #%$@ crazy! Why would you say that?” And I told him of my commitment to Christ and to bringing His Gospel of Peace wherever and whenever I had the opportunity. That commitment would not allow me to do him any harm, even though I was certain there was little harm that I could do. His shoulders slumped as he shook his head in total disbelief. Then he told me, “WOW! You must be completely insane! Marines don’t beat the #%$@ out of crazy people.” And the four of them got up in unison and slowly walked out.

What I hadn’t noticed since I was concentrating on our conversation is that everyone in the club, employees and patrons alike, had all stopped whatever they were doing and were intently watching the five of us talk. Once they had exited and the outside door closed, I received a standing ovation. But the ovation was not for me, but for the One who guided my heart and mind and words as I spoke with four men filled with rage.

My classmates declared me courageous. But my professor disagreed. He said that in that moment, my naivete had saved me by presenting those Marines with a totally unimaginable (by them) response to their anger. That in that moment, without knowing it or planning to, I put my complete confidence in the Holy Spirit to do “spiritual battle” in my stead. And when I heard the professor’s words, I thought immediately of these verses in II Timothy.

Each of us has the full presence of the Holy Spirit within us. That’s what “Emanuel” means. God with us. Together, as Christ’s Church, we can call on that assurance to bless and keep our lives in Christ.

“…for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day the deposit I have entrusted to him.”

Jim McGrath