Glorifying God at Pogey’s

I woke up early this morning.  Real early.  Too early!  

As I write these words it’s Sunday.  I’m sitting in Pogey’s Family Restaurant in Okeechobee,Florida.  Fortunately they opened at 3:30 for breakfast!   Pogey’s is named after “Pogey Bill” Collins an Okeechobee county Sheriff, elected 1918 who did a lot of good for this area. 

So, in the early morning hours as I drink coffee, I’m studying my lessons for the class and worship service.  The discordance of it all struck me as I tried to focus with country music blaring through the restaurant,.  There is a huge painting on the wall  above me with the silhouette of a fisherman standing up in his boat catching a fish. The TV’s are on,  showing the lake and people boating and fishing.  I’m surrounded  by big several mouth bass mounted on the walls, a deer head, a wild boar head, a tarpon and even a couple of unnamed birds! 

So, as the waitress keeps my coffee cup full I’m trying to focus on the lesson I’m preaching today– “Five Words that Glorify God.” 

The word “glory” or its form is used over 440 times in the Bible.  The Bible speaks of glorying God.  Glory filling the tabernacle.  And glory filling the Temple.  Today, we are God’s temple.  We are to glory Him.  The Psalmist said, “Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your glory all the day’   

All the day?  You mean not just on Sunday?  Not just in a church building?  Not just in a worship service?  He said, “All the day!”  In Okeechobee.  Early in the morning.  At Pogey’s!  Yes, even here I can reflect on His glory. 

Actually, as I eat my breakfast, I thought of the wise man’s statement when he said, “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.”  (Eccl. 2:24). 

Well, I’m eating good!  Thank you Lord!  And coffee is good!  Thank you, Lord!  I’m reminded as I look around that it is all from the hand of God.  The fish of the lake. The birds of the air.  The deer of the woods.  The wild boar.  The eggs from the chicken!  The potatoes from the field. The sausage from the pig.  The beauty of the lake. Thank you, Lord, for your bounty. For your provisions.  For your creation! 

And today, I will have the opportunity to minister in the Word.  Last Sunday I spoke to over 500 people.  Today it will be less than 20.  But the Lord will be there.  The worship will be no less important.  His glory will be our focus.  And my responsibility as a gospel preacher is not diminished by the size of the audience. 

Well, it’s about time folks will be up.  So I’d head back to Charles and Annetta’s.  Norma Jean will wonder where I am.  They will say, “Why couldn’t you sleep?”   I dunno.  Maybe to see God’s glory in the early morning hours at Pogey’s! 

Oh, and the five words.  Hmm, this post has reached its max!.  That will have to be fodder for another time.  Just remember to give God the glory.  Today. Where ever you are.  If you just look around, His glory is everywhere! 

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman