It Just Takes An Average Joe...

Wow! Joe the Plumber is my hero! He has single-handedly, amazingly, and quite possibly, changed the course of this upcoming election. I am astounded. As I'm sure he is! I look at this situation and think, God you are INCREDIBLE!

Here is a guy, an average Joe, a hard worker, probably much like you & me, who has come out of seemingly nowhere. And now, because of his willingness to ask some hard questions, he has become the TALK of the week, has been thrust into the media spotlight, was addressed directly by both presidential candidates during the national debate on Wednesday, and has been invited to appear on countless news & talk shows. Why??? How???

I don't even think any of us have all the answers, but I do know that this morning I am HOPEFUL, very encouraged, & believe strongly that this is a CLOSE race, and both sides do stand a chance to win. Whoever you're voting for...it just ain't over till it's over!
And I'm encouraged by this thought too...we CAN all make a difference in this world! It doesn't take fame, it doesn't take a lot of money, it doesn't take a big education, it just takes our willingness to take a STAND & SPEAK UP!

So, here's my top 5 things I've learned this week from an average Joe, Joe the Plumber from Ohio...

1. BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! This is America, and anything is possible! I love the verse that says those words exactly, "Everything is possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23

2. Don't be afraid to ask hard questions. Joe wasn't afraid. Are you? Because of his questions, some important information has been shared that the public may want to be aware of!

3. Be involved, let your voice be heard, take a stand, make a difference! One great thing is this, Joe was there! He spoke out, he didn't even just stop at one hard question, he clarified, he pursued information, he got involved. Are you willing to get involved, even when things are kind of, well, "uncomfortable?" I mean, he could have just shaken Senator Obama's hand, he could have said something "really sweet & nice," but he chose to ask some questions & get some answers! Thank you Joe for doing that!

4. Ask God to lead your path every day, every moment. Ask God for His leadership over your time, who you meet, where you go, etc... Joe was in the "right place at the right time." I don't even know if Joe's a Christian, but I'm thankful that he was where he was on that particular day. And I do know this...those of us who are Christians & who are led by the Holy Spirit, can ALWAYS be in God's right place at God's right time! That's the way to live!

5. And lastly, don't be afraid to be an "Average Joe." In this nation, I think so many people are infatuated with & quite preoccupied with Hollywood, with stars, their lifestyles, who they marry, what they do, who their babies are, where they're spending jail time today, etc.., etc...and I ask this...who really cares? As I've become a "bit" older, I've become much more interested in just "plain" people, like me, like you, like Joe! Like those of us who are just trying to live this life to make simple, but important decisions that will last a lifetime, like those of us who are seeking, not the media spotlight, but God's spotlight, those who want to bring honor to the God of the Universe! He is so concerned about where we are right now at this moment in our nation, and in our lives. God is involved, God is here, He does care!

Thank you to Joe the Plumber for making a difference this week. I'm praying that WE will be willing to make a difference in the circles of our influence, especially in these next important few weeks of history. Bless you all today!

P.S. Joe will be on Mike Huckabee's show on the Fox network Saturday evening. He had already been booked before this week's debate, but now I'm sure many more people will be tuning in to see this guy who has caused such an uproar this week, yet is so much "like us."