Last year I kept hearing people exclaim, “I just don’t know!” in regards to relationship conflicts, financial difficulties, and health woes. I kept hearing this phrase over and over again in an assortment of other circumstances. For some reason it seems that I heard this cry of exasperation more than all the other years of my life combined.
There was one person that added a word and said, “I just don’t know anymore” which made me ponder the statement. I imagined the person saying, “I thought I had it together. I thought I had it figured out. I thought I knew, but I just don’t know anymore.” I think that it would be a marvelous thing if we could all confess that we just don’t know anymore.
Even as Christians, we don’t have to know everything. We should be okay if we haven’t figured everything out. If we were given more information or a bit more vision would it make a difference in the way we would deal with the situation? If we were given the results, would it make a difference in the way we approach something? If we knew that we would be rejected and treated the way Jesus was treated, would that information influence the way we would respond to people? Sometimes knowledge may mean that we are able to see the light in the tunnel from the train that’s about to hit us.
We don’t have to know all the details of our lives and we don’t have to know how every situation will turn out. But we are told that Jesus was raised from the dead in glory and honor and we also have the promise of the same victory (Romans 6, I Corinthians 15:51-57). We may not know anymore, but can we trust the One who gives us this promise?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Good Planning
I like to think that I am a good planner. When I undertake things, I try to consider everything and make a detailed plan of what I want to accomplish. I consider the costs, obstacles, and even potential problems so that there will be few or no surprises. I think that the reason why I pay attention to even the smallest detail is because I want things to go smoothly without any anxiety.
There are several things wrong with this mindset. First, I cannot possibly imagine every possible predicament. Secondly, even if I were able to anticipate every impasse, I many not have the power or resources to do anything about it. Finally, no matter how well things go, I will probably still be filled with stress. The reason for being tense is because no matter how well things fall into place, there is still the uncertainty that everything will not go well.
This is really a control issue. It’s a matter of trust. If I want to be the master planner and be in control, there will always be a lot of tension. If I want relief, I should surrender my role as Commander-in-Chief and hand back the throne to its rightful owner and ruler. I need to entrust God to do what He does best.
No wonder the Psalmist tell us, “…Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” (Psalms 127:1). James also reminds us to confess “If it is the LORD’S will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15).
Perhaps someday I will learn to pray whole heartedly, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” Until then, the battle rages on.
There are several things wrong with this mindset. First, I cannot possibly imagine every possible predicament. Secondly, even if I were able to anticipate every impasse, I many not have the power or resources to do anything about it. Finally, no matter how well things go, I will probably still be filled with stress. The reason for being tense is because no matter how well things fall into place, there is still the uncertainty that everything will not go well.
This is really a control issue. It’s a matter of trust. If I want to be the master planner and be in control, there will always be a lot of tension. If I want relief, I should surrender my role as Commander-in-Chief and hand back the throne to its rightful owner and ruler. I need to entrust God to do what He does best.
No wonder the Psalmist tell us, “…Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” (Psalms 127:1). James also reminds us to confess “If it is the LORD’S will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15).
Perhaps someday I will learn to pray whole heartedly, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” Until then, the battle rages on.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Getting Through
Robin has long days. There are some days that she leaves the house at 8 in the morning and does not get home until 9 at night. There are some mornings that she gets up with a dazed look on her face and I know what she’s thinking—“How will I ever get through this day?”
As a Christian, I often have similar thoughts. When I face "fiery trials of various sorts," I wonder how I am going to get through them. I wonder how I will resist the temptation that is set before me. I wonder how I will ever make it safely to the end of my Christian journey.
As I take the time to reflect on my life, the temptations, and the trials on the other side of the day, I am often amazed how I made it through. It should be of no surprise, but often it is. I think that it is a surprise because I think that I was the one who accomplished this feat. It should be of no surprise because it was God’s grace and power that enabled and sustained me.
This is why we need to be reminded of God’s promises to us. Promises like, it is God who works in and through us (Philippians 2:13) and that He will complete the work that He began in us (Philippians 1:6). We don’t have to know how we’re going to get there from here if we know Who it is that’s going to get us there.
As a Christian, I often have similar thoughts. When I face "fiery trials of various sorts," I wonder how I am going to get through them. I wonder how I will resist the temptation that is set before me. I wonder how I will ever make it safely to the end of my Christian journey.
As I take the time to reflect on my life, the temptations, and the trials on the other side of the day, I am often amazed how I made it through. It should be of no surprise, but often it is. I think that it is a surprise because I think that I was the one who accomplished this feat. It should be of no surprise because it was God’s grace and power that enabled and sustained me.
This is why we need to be reminded of God’s promises to us. Promises like, it is God who works in and through us (Philippians 2:13) and that He will complete the work that He began in us (Philippians 1:6). We don’t have to know how we’re going to get there from here if we know Who it is that’s going to get us there.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Dejavu All Over Again
When I traveled for my company, I liked getting to the place where I was going to be working the day before I started work in the area. The reason I did this was so that I would be familiar with the area. I wanted to know the way to work and its alternate routes. I wanted to know where the Dunkin Donuts was in case I needed an early morning coffee. I wanted to know where the local diners were and what kind of hours they kept. I wanted to be familiar enough with the area so that I could get back on track just in case I took a “detour.”
In a similar way, this is often how I view Scripture in the context of my life. There are many times in my life that I feel like “I know this situation,” or “I’ve encountered this person before.” Although I had never been at a particular location or met a particular person previously, there are many times that I feel like, “I’ve been here before.”
After a while of trying to figure out why a person or a situation is so familiar, it usually dawns on me that I have encountered a similar situation in Scripture. In fact, I am usually reminded of two portions of Scripture. One narrative involves a Biblical character and the other story involves Jesus. These reminders not only helps me deal with my current situation, but gives me “counsel” in the way I should go, and also helps me to see God in my situation.
In the past I have often cried, “Why me?” Yet Peter has prepared us by saying, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (I Peter 4:12).
I would do well if I took what James said to heart. James says, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19). I need to remember that God is trying to talk to me in my ordeal. I need to be reminded what Scripture is saying to me in my trial. Hush, my soul…What did You say? God, can You repeat what You said?
In a similar way, this is often how I view Scripture in the context of my life. There are many times in my life that I feel like “I know this situation,” or “I’ve encountered this person before.” Although I had never been at a particular location or met a particular person previously, there are many times that I feel like, “I’ve been here before.”
After a while of trying to figure out why a person or a situation is so familiar, it usually dawns on me that I have encountered a similar situation in Scripture. In fact, I am usually reminded of two portions of Scripture. One narrative involves a Biblical character and the other story involves Jesus. These reminders not only helps me deal with my current situation, but gives me “counsel” in the way I should go, and also helps me to see God in my situation.
In the past I have often cried, “Why me?” Yet Peter has prepared us by saying, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (I Peter 4:12).
I would do well if I took what James said to heart. James says, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19). I need to remember that God is trying to talk to me in my ordeal. I need to be reminded what Scripture is saying to me in my trial. Hush, my soul…What did You say? God, can You repeat what You said?
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