As Hurricane Katrina hurtled toward the Gulf Coast, Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré initiated preparations for a coordinated response to the anticipated cleanup given that the landfall was predicted to hit between different command jurisdictions. His management of the disaster was such that when Hurricane Rita came into the Gulf of America several months later, he was once again tasked with the oversight response.

Hurricane Rita was the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Gulf of America. In a news briefing with reporters, Lt. Gen. Honoré asked the media to focus on the coming hurricane and not on the last one (Katrina). To his dismay, a reporter asked a question about Hurricane Katrina, to which Honoré famously replied, “You’re stuck on stupid!” In this age of political correctness, you seldom see such concise and accurate comments.

As Christians, it’s possible for us to sometimes get “stuck on stupid.” How, exactly, does that happen? Scripture gives us an insight.

And He [Jesus] said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark 4:24-25, ESV)

Let’s unpack this. I once mentioned to my small group that Scripture has one interpretation and many applications. This “application” may be one you haven’t considered. The Apostle James tells us that we are to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (1:22). Jesus said, “Pay attention to what you hear.”

God speaks through His Word, even when it comes to us through various mediums. It might be the Sunday sermon you heard last week or something you heard on the radio or read in a book. Maybe it was something you saw on TV (regardless of what you were watching, God has ways we know not of). When we hear a word from God, we will immediately know He is speaking to our heart.

It might be something we are to do, or maybe not do. Regardless, if we fail to respond, guess what? We are stuck on stupid! Why? Because the Creator of the universe is seeking to move us down the spiritual playing field in our maturity. By ignoring the call, we are pretty much staying on the line of scrimmage. God isn’t going to give us direction if we are not responding to what He has already provided. The more we obey by responding to His promptings, the more we will receive in the way of wisdom, knowledge, and (wait for it — scary word here!) holiness.

If you’re beginning to feel like you’re stuck on stupid, ask God to show you where you stopped listening and stopped obeying. He’s a good, good Father, and He wants you moving toward those goalposts. Ask Him to show you where you fumbled and ask for the strength to grab that ball and go for a first down.

Jesus said, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!