O no - I don't need this now!

I’ve always wanted to post something ambiguous like “O no – I don’t need this now!” on Facebook and see the responses – “How should we pray”, Do you need help” Should I bake cookies?”  (Yes, please do – chocolate chip!).  But I’m an introvert so I tend to be somewhat reserved when sharing things.

Now before I go further, I have a confession to make – I like to listen to Yanni when I run – and when I’m on the treadmill sometimes at loud volume.  I dunno, I enjoy the upbeat instrumentals that seems to be in sync with my running rhythm and allows my mind to relax and think. So why do I share that (remember, I’m a introvert)?  This blog has a running theme so I had to get running in it – but also, Yanni, on one of his concert CDs said that he doesn't write songs in the middle of a problem.  He waits till afterwards to write about the learning that took place (OK, most of his stuff is instrumental so I’m not sure how that works, but…).  When I’m in the midst of a problem, I’m not me (like being hungry on a Snicker’s commercial).  I can be frustrated, angry, self-centered.  I don’t have the proper perspective.  If I write something, I’ll probably regret it.  But afterwards, if I allow, I begin to see God in all of it.  Maybe not fully, but enough to know He is still in control.

To say that last month didn’t go as expected is a huge understatement.  Karyn and I had looked forward to a few days by ourselves at Disneyworld.  Yes, Disneyworld without the kids.  The occasion, our 30^th wedding anniversary.  It’s been a long time, five years in fact, since we’ve been able to get away together for a few days.  Plus the thought of leaving frigid Ohio for 80 degrees and sunshine … we were ready for some warmth!.  First part of the plan was in place – flew my sister-in-law in from Vermont to watch the kids.  But then … I got sick.

The day before we were to leave I couldn’t get myself out of bed.  My fever reached 102.  I couldn’t stop coughing.  I was out.  All week long I felt something coming, I hoped it would go away in time, I PRAYED it would go away in time.  It didn’t.  Florida trip – gone.  Lots of non-refundables – gone.  Why?  To say we were disappointed, well I already used the word understatement.

Not much later, I swallowed a gold crown – yes – swallowed.  Swallowing it was bad enough, paying to replace it was even worse.  That followed by a flat tire – and more recently discovering that our pool liner didn't fare the winter well and may need replaced.

So why did all this happen?  Where is God in all this – I mean why wouldn't He want me and Karyn to get away to spend time together?  Why all the unexpected expenses?  Here’s some thoughts, maybe you’ve heard them before. 

1.     God’s ways our higher than our ways.  You've heard this before.  God must have a good reason that we don’t see yet (but we will when we get to heaven, right?). 

2.   We didn’t seek God properly in planning the trip.  Maybe it wasn't His will for us to go.  We should have spent more time in prayer.  Did we really have a peace about it?  But then, how many people plan things all the time apart from God and succeed?

3.   We live in a fallen world, things just happen. This is all a result of Adam and Eve’s sin.  Well bad things really aren't a respecter of persons.  Stuff happens – and not always at the opportune time.  No matter how hard we plan, people are going to get sick, weather is going to turn bad and other bad things are going to happen.

And that may just be the reason.  We are cautioned in the Bible about not putting too much faith in our plans.  We don’t know what tomorrow may hold.  And we need to move on.  Our disappointments were big – but doesn’t compare to a lot of other disappointments.  A true disappointment is a life apart from a relationship with Christ. 

As I've run many races I've realized that some days you may feel like you’re flying on air and other days you feel like you should have stayed home.  And most of the time you don’t realize which feeling you’ll get until after you have started.  I've learned to enjoy the good runs and not give up because of a bad run.  Yes, there is disappointment – but that is never a reason to quit.  Greater joys and yes, disappointments, are still to follow.

What about the missionaries who spend years overseas, at the cost of their health and maybe the lives of family members, only to see very little success?  Did they plan wrong, did they not fully understand God’s will? Or possibly, they are smack dab in the center of it, growing in their relationship with Christ, with their eyes on the prize, and a reward of “Well done good and faithful servant!” 

So we may never know the reason why our anniversary plans fell apart, or why all the other stuff happened.  We will get over the disappointment.  We are still married (30 + years!) and our relationship with each other and with Christ is strong! And we will still race toward the prize!

Run on!

I lift my eye to the hills.  From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Putting it all in Context

Over the past few years I have been known for daily posting a Bible verse on Facebook.  Hopefully as a result I have also come to be known for the love I have for God’s Word.  I am filled with joy when people tell me how much those verses have meant to them.  Most of these verses, probably over 95%, are a result of my quiet time reading that day – and I share them because they have spoken to me.

I would love to say that my daily reading of God’s Word has led to incredible success in life, no troubles, limited sickness and such but that definitely has not been the case.  I have been subject to life’s trials.  I have at times felt overwhelmed.  But I have also grown in my relationship to God and He has guided me through.  Reading the Word of God every day brings with it the responsibility of keeping God’s Word every day and I can’t say that I have always succeeded in that.  But I press on. 

Now here’s a interesting thought.  Not every verse I've posted applies to everyone!  And every verse that I posted does not stand alone by itself.  To get the greater meaning it must be read in the context of the Bible as a whole and in context of the story surrounding it.  Many verses can be taken completely out of context (see “politicians”) and their misuse is easy to diagnose.  For others that diagnosis is not so easy.  Picture the 16 year old high school athlete wearing a t-shirt with a picture of a baseball that says “I can do all things through Christ - Phil 4:13”.  Does that mean Christ will make Him a great baseball player?  Or you a great piano player or accountant?  Read the verses around it.  Learn the context – who was Paul writing too?  What’s the background of this Philippian church?  What issue or topic was Paul addressing in this 4^th chapter? (I’m not going to tell you – go read it for yourself!).

So a verse may not apply to everyone.  It may depend on where they are in their relationship with Jesus Christ.  It may apply, but not in the way you think.   But when it does apply to you and does address the situation you are in – WoW!  That’s what communicating with God is all about.  Just like when we talk to someone else – we want them to fully understand what we are saying – and not miss the point. 

So as I run the race toward the prize, I need God’s Word to guide me, to show me the course that I need to run.  You too.  So please continue to read the verses I post, but I hope it encourages you to dig into the Bible and read more!

By the way, for those who liked the recent verses from Philippians I highly recommend the book "To Live is Christ to Die is Gain" by Matt Chandler.

Keep running!