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?