Amazon recently released statistics from their most popular Kindle books. They revealed the
most highlighted verse in the Bible. Can you guess what it was?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
It seems fear and anxiety about tomorrow were problems for Paul back then and for us today.
The antidote for fear and anxiety is also the same today as it was then — prayer. When you feel
the weight of care, it becomes a warning signal to pray.
Growing up in the ’80s, the rock group Van Halen ruled the airwaves. They sold out venues
around the globe. As their fan base grew, so did their elaborate stage sets and pyrotechnic
shows. Smoke machines, lighting, and the occasional explosion made each show increasingly
dangerous. The margin for error was slim. Lead singer David Lee Roth added a clause to the
contract between the venue and the band. It became known as the “M&M Clause.” A bowl of
M&M’s had to be available backstage at all times, and all the brown M&M’s had to be removed
from the bowl, or the contract was considered null and void. The band would then receive all the
revenue. It was what they called a “trip-wire clause.”
The band knew that if there were brown M&M’s in the bowl, the venue staff had not read the
contract carefully. Therefore, they probably had not read the safety precautions carefully either
— and the band could be in danger. It was a trip-wire.
God has given you a trip-wire clause as well. When worry, fear, and anxiety begin bubbling up
in your soul, that becomes the trip-wire. It’s time to pray. Notice the sequence: as we release
our cares to God in prayer, the promise is a peace that “surpasses understanding.” The peace
of God will literally “guard” our hearts and minds from the onslaught of fear and anxiety.
GOD’S GOT TOMORROW
Tomorrow isn’t a place God wonders about. It’s a place He already is. That should be
unbelievably comforting to you. A loving and benevolent Father waits for you in tomorrow.
Allow me to illustrate. Luca Manfè was a member of my church and a friend. I performed his
wedding to his lovely wife, Catherine. By the way, the food at the reception was outstanding. It
was prepared by a “MasterChef.”
I remember the day Luca pulled me aside after church and told me he would be gone for the
next few months. He was taking another shot at becoming a contestant on MasterChef. He had
tried the previous year during Season 3 but was unsuccessful. We prayed together, and off he
went to compete.
Eventually, he returned, and I asked him how it went. He said he had signed an NDA (Non-
Disclosure Agreement) and couldn’t talk about it. The show is filmed months in advance.
The first few episodes of MasterChef Season 4 didn’t go great for Luca. He struggled through
many of the early rounds, but his charisma and personality carried him through. Then, midway
through the competition, something changed. Luca began hitting his stride and finding his
groove. Eventually, he cooked his way all the way to the grand finale.
Luca rented out a local restaurant and invited close friends and family to watch the finale
together in suspense. I was nervous, and so was everyone else. Well… almost everyone. Luca
was cool as a cucumber.
The judges’ decision was in. The room fell silent as we all leaned forward to the edge of our
seats.
“And the winner of Season 4 MasterChef is… Luca Manfè!!!!”
The room erupted! We couldn’t believe it. But Luca could. He wasn’t surprised at all. He had
already lived that reality. He had already been there.
God is not wondering about your tomorrow. He is already there. He’s waiting for you. He has
EVERYTHING you need to do ALL He has called you to do. God’s got your tomorrow. Trust
Him and be faithful with today.
The painting’s original name was “Die Schachspieler,” though today it is better known as
“Checkmate.” The painting depicts a satanic-looking character playing chess against a
perplexed and defeated young man. An angel looks on with pity.
“Checkmate.” The devil wins.
I’ve had moments in my life when I felt like that young man — stuck and defeated, with no way
out and no way forward. But with Jesus, you always have another move.
Paul Morphy was a chess phenom. He learned to play by age ten and became a chess master
at the ripe old age of seventeen. He traveled the world defeating anyone who dared challenge
him. Amazingly, he retired from competitive chess at age twenty-one. As a bit of a celebrity,
Morphy was invited to the home of Reverend R.R. Harrison, along with several other Virginian
elites. Hanging on the wall in the reverend’s home was a painting that mesmerized Morphy:
“Checkmate.”
He felt a strange sense of sorrow for the young man in the painting. It provoked him. Morphy
studied the painting for several minutes. Finally, he blurted out:
“He has another move! I can win with that board!”
The stunned host obliged the chess master and recreated the painting’s chessboard. Morphy
did indeed have another move — a series of maneuvers that defeated his satanic opponent. He
won! [20]
And that is our story.
All looked lost when they placed Jesus in the tomb 2,000 years ago. But it wasn’t over. He had
another move. He rose from the grave. In doing so, He defeated death and the devil on our
behalf.
With Jesus, you always have another move.
Remember: whoever gets up the most wins in life. When the devil says, “Checkmate,” don’t
believe it. You always have another move.
“Get up.”
“Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.”
That’s how you win in life — and I want you to win.