Fridays are for Illustrations: Gary Said It Would Be Like This

Last updated on: March 9, 2018 at 11:50 am by Matt Pearson

Fridays are for Illustrations: Gary Said It Would Be Like This 2018-03-07T20:35:23-05:00 Matt Pearson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I used this illustration in a recent sermon on how believers can expect situations and circumstances to not go as planned…especially when obeying the Lord.

I grew up in North Alabama. One of the 3 channels we got on our family television was WAAY 31. The weatherman (chief meteorologist) at the time was Gary Dobbs. Everyone loved Gary. Especially our family.

Whoever ran the Public Relations for WAAY 31 and Gary Dobbs was an absolute genius. Scattered throughout North Alabama were billboards. Blue background. White letters. The only thing written on the billboards was this: â€œGary said it was going to be like this.â€ Brilliant.

If it was 70 degrees and sunny, â€œGary said it was going to be like this.â€

If it was 24 degrees and snowy, â€œGary said it was going to be like this.â€

If it was 98 degrees and humid, â€œGary said it was going to be like this.â€

The point? Had you watched Gary Dobbs the night before on WAAY 31, you would have known it would be exactly like this.

I was always intrigued by that and thought, â€œIf I watch Garyâ€™s weather forecast, I wonâ€™t ever be surprised by the weather.â€

When a believer goes through difficulty – especially as a result of obeying the Lord – he or she can confidently say, â€œJesus said it was going to be like this.â€ Over and over again He told His boys they â€œwould have trouble in this world;â€ and â€œbeware when all men speak well of you;â€ and â€œif they called me a devil, they will do the same to you.â€

One of the most comforting things we can do for each other is to remind and encourage one another that â€œJesus said it would be like this.â€ The disciples in Acts rejoiced when they suffered for the Name. Not because suffering was fun. Because they knew they were in the center of His will.

Have you recently obeyed the Lord, only to learn that circumstances got worse for you, not better? No worries. Youâ€™re in good company. Oh, and by the way, Jesus said it was going to be like this.

Fridays are For Illustrations

Previous Post

March 6, 2018

Jesus Sleeps through the Storm: Imagining with Bartholomew and Naomi

Next Post

March 13, 2018 Why Did You Doubt?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Biblical Reflections Devotions Fridays are For Illustrations General Challenge General Preaching Resources Letters to West Franklin Preparing to Preach Table Talk Questions The Preaching Event Top Ten Quotes Uncategorized West Franklin West Franklin Talks

Select a Month March 2023 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Greek word 'Doulos' mean in the New Testament?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Teacher Priest King Servant/Slave