A Prodigal's Path

“Riding Naked” . . . well almost

If you want to captivate my attention the subject of "motorcycling" will always make me indefinitely linger. My interest goes far beyond the casual ride and deep into the physics and geometry of riding well and riding to the edge of my limits.

Rollie Free was such a rider as well . . . and more so than I will ever be.

On the morning of September 13, 1948 Rollie Free carved out a new American Motorcycle Speed Record on the parched Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah. Free pushed a Vincent Black Shadow that had been stripped of 100 pounds of needless panels, parts, and body work to a record 150.313 mph. Unsatisfied with an initial run of 147 mph Rollie shed his protective gear and leathers and made the record setting run nearly naked wearing only a Speedo bathing suit, shower cap, and a pair of borrowed sneakers. In an expression of his desire to secure a coveted record Free made his final run lying across the spine of the bike to achieve better aerodynamics and squeeze every bit of mechanical life out of the Vincent.

The now most famous photo in motorcycling history makes me pause and wonder: "What are we willing to strip away in pursuit of becoming closer to Christ . . . closer to God?"

What is it that that individually and collectively holds us back at times?

Why does my heart seemingly stall out, run dry, and cause me to drift along?

Am I waiting on God . . . or is He waiting for me?

Here are a few scriptural clues to the answer that I have come across.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8 ESV)

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." ~ Jesus (Matthew 7:7 ESV)

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20 ESV)

The answer . . . the solution . . . becomes our actions driven by our affection. While it is true that God offers us eternal reconciliation it is up to us to direct our hearts, minds, and actions toward Him. Much like Rollie Free's irrepressible drive to make speed, our passion for a closer union with God may rest in our response and responsibility to strip away the things of the world that slow us down. We may be called to perform acts of faith that call us to shed the comfort of our "protective leathers" and to trust God's hand on the throttle to drive us further in and closer to His heart. I'm finding it clear that passionate Christianity requires us to get off our spectator porches of life . . . to act upon our passion . . . and that God will respond in kind.

If our true passion is to commune closer with our creator then ultimately we will have become one of those "crazy Christians" that seemingly "ride naked" through life, oblivious to threatening and enticing worldly desires, and blaze bright trails home.

A Moment With “Hugo”

When life isn't spiraling us around in its' whirlwind of endless demands we make Friday or Saturday night "Family Night". Recently that has evolved into "Family Movie Night" and this weekend's vote landed on the movie "Hugo".

"Hugo" centers around the story of an orphaned clockmaker's son who has inherited his love of machines, their gears, timing, precision, and function. I found it "mildly" engaging . . . until this quote rolled from the young man as he interpreted his world to a newly found friend:

"Maybe that's why a broken machine always makes me a little sad, because it isn't able to do what it was meant to do...Maybe it's the same with people," Hugo continued. "If you lose your purpose...it's like you're broken." – Brian Selznick, The Invention of Hugo Cabret

It's been an empty and adrift 264 days since I've "thought on paper" or shared anything. Not that I haven't thought about or pondered the meaning of "it all" . . . and not that I can't expel a litany of excuses for doing so. Or not doing so. All amassed I've spent countless hours grinding out uninspired motions of daily life . . . working the endless "To Do" list all in soulless pursuit and vain validation of what "Hugo" expelled so simply.

"Yes, Hugo it's true," my mind whispered back. "It is the same with people."

I've come to realize these last few days that Christ didn't come just to live, die, and live again for us. That's far too simple if we believe that God that has blessed us all with individual gifts and talents.

More accurately perhaps is this thought: That Christ lived, he died, and rose to breathe eternally so that He may live through us. That's not to diminish the unfathomable sacrifice for our atonement . . . but to give a more profound and purposeful meaning to our rescue and rescuer.

Our "purpose" is to allow ourselves to be used by, and for, Christ in our own unique and gifted ways. The result is that our lives should become a reflection of His work within us and our talents moment by moment acts of worship. In doing so, in pursuing the life He has purposed us for, we become "unbroken", full, and fulfilled.

"Sometimes I come up here at night...just to look at the city. I like to imagine that the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too." – Brian Selznick, The Invention of Hugo Cabret

    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come . . . . Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 20 ESV)

Getting to “Yes” (part 3)

We all experience and deal with a number of hindrances in inviting our friends and family to worship and church events. None of them maybe more paralyzing than the fear or feeling of rejection. One of the first things I was taught in sales was that "No" and "Yes" are mathematical probabilities. It was something to the effect that you'll get 7 "No" responses for every "Yes". I have no idea if that's true but it has always helped me get on with my asking . . . somewhere out there is a "Yes".

Gracefully Getting Past "No". The reality of asking is that we must be prepared for disappointment and rejection. It happens. It's natural. And it happens regardless of whom we are, how old we are, and despite how influential we might be. But the stakes are higher in our endeavor and mission as the Church and the implication of "No" is much more weighty, eternal, and heart-wrenching than is being rejected by mom in the candy isle of the check-out line.

If there is a parallel message to be found in the Gospels then Jesus may be delivering the "Gracefully Getting Past No" message to the disciples here:

"Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake." ~ Jesus (Matthew 10:21-22 ESV)

Right after Jesus tells them that when they are rejected in one town to move on to the next (v 23), followed by this:

"Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven," ~ Jesus (Matthew 10:31-32 ESV)

Matthew 10 concludes with Jesus asking us to take on the smallest of tasks in His name and act, and ask, on His behalf.

"And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." ~ Jesus (Matthew 10:42 ESV)

 

How to Gracefully Getting Past "No" may best be answered by paraphrasing Jesus' instructions to the twelve. He, Christ, never promised us that following Him would be easy. He knows, and asks, that we face challenges. But just as He did with the twelve, the words of Matthew remind us of these truths:

We will face rejection . . . but only if we ask (v 21-23)

When rejection comes accept it and move on (v23)

Don't be afraid . . . asking is worth it (v 31-32)

We're acting for Him . . . and asking on His behalf. (v42)

In other words . . . the rejection, and hopeful acceptance, is not about us,

It's all about Him. It always is.

 

 

Getting to “Yes” (part 1)

Easter this year is April 24^th . . . roughly 5 weeks away . . . or 41 days to be exact. Most churches will experience an influx of visitors much like Sundays that neighbor the Christmas holiday. Many of us may think it's a bit strange that popular culture thinks these are the best, or most appropriate, two Sunday's to "visit" church while they can casually ignore the other 50. If that really is the thought process of our mostly un-churched friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers then it may just be the opening in the gate we need to walk through to "Get to Yes." Meaning if these indeed are the 2 Sundays a year that our culture is open enough to entertain the idea of attending church then perhaps it's our duty to ask and invite. It may be our best chance to "Get to Yes."

Having been in some form of sales nearly my entire life I'd like to share a few thoughts and ideas on "Getting to Yes" over the next few days. For those of you that are shy about sales . . . or think that "sales" and "church" should never be co-mingled in the same sentence let me say this: the "art of sales" is simply mastering the "art" of asking" the best question at the most appropriate moment. That's why most of us are quick to run from loud, pushy, obnoxious, over-the-top, sales people.

Regardless of what homespun wisdom may believe; What you say IS just as important as HOW you say it. But before we get into all the semantics let me share with you a great concept from Outreach Pastor Scott Bixby.

Begin With Prayer.

Scott introduced the idea of PI² to Northridge Church a few years ago. That is; Pray, Invest, and Invite. Pretty simple equation, so for today let's start there. Let's start by building a list of people in our lives that we are Invested in. That is, put together a list of people that we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. While it may be easy and tempting to populate our list with those that seem most approachable, let me encourage you to put those seemingly least receptive and most in need at the top of your list. Remember, God has often chosen those least likely, least popular, and most broken, to accomplish His will.

For now let's simply pray for wisdom, courage, receptive minds, soft hearts, and open gates.

"do not be anxious about anything, but by everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6 esv)

 

Doctors of Empathy

     In one of life's many discussions I shared this thought with a friend a few days ago: 

     Maybe it's about learning to be content? That is, adopting a love and appreciation for the friends around you and people in your life, and mine. About finding the "good things" people and circumstances bring into our lives. Perhaps it's about taking on a new learned posture in relationships and life that says "I will think before I act." Suppose we loved people for who they are, where they are, and not what we want them to be? What if we became the "Doctors of Empathy" and practiced learned understanding before we jumped to conclusions? What if we first we're still . . . and listened to our hearts?  

     Perhaps we should practice being more content . . . and learn to be satisfied with, or accept on some level, the things we cannot change.

     Maybe we could love and admire what we do have . . . and not be frustrated by passions for the things we want but do not truly need.

     Maybe learning to be content is the first footstep on the path of peace.

 

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." (1 Timothy 6:6-7 ESV)

 

Monkeys See . . . What Monkeys Do.

     I have to admit that if there were a line formed of people who wrestle with fully living out Christianity that at times I would cut the line to be First. Don't get me wrong here. I'm not suggesting that I question my faith or belief . . . it's more that I wrestle with transferring that faith and belief into my daily life. Perhaps some of that is my own fault for always looking at things from different angles, trying to find meaning, and questioning nearly everything. 

     Working through one of these trying times recently I made a decision that I would sit out of Church on Sunday morning and make myself busy with work. Deliberately defiant I justified my choice with the fact I just needed a breather . . . I just need to take a step back for a day. So off to an appointment I went. A relaxing stop at Starbucks followed by a meandering pace to where ever it was I was off too. I began texting a close friend of mine who is Jewish . . . and being such it's a safe bet on Sunday morning that he's not in Church either.

     Our life-speak chatter goes on for a few minutes when across my screen comes "Dude, how come you're not in Church?" . . . and the strings that bind my heart to The Truth start to unravel as I go numb. It's then that I start to realize I've not only headed off into the wrong direction that morning; worse yet, that I may have started to drag those I am to influence down that dangerous detour with me.

     It's disheartening that at a time when I really need to draw closer to Christ that I'll sometimes choose to take a step backwards. At the times I may need Him most that I sometimes choose Him less. For those of you wondering where my blog has been for the last month . . . that "day away" turned into a few weeks. And while I can produce a host of buyable excuses it all comes down to this . . . I get in trouble when I start asking "Why?' Why God this? Why right now? Why would you do that to me? Why don't you, God, take care of this, or that? All that negative chit chat soon drains one's spirit dry of the joy found in the life-blood that set us free.

     The question really needs to be "What?" . . . and asked with persistent patient prayer. "What" God would you have me do? "What" God would you have me learn? "What" God is your perfect purpose for my life today?

     See the difference? "Why" always seems to lead us inward. "Why" can have a narrowing focus that starts to tie up and tangle our heart strings as we pursue some excuse or misdirected reason. "What" on the other hand opens us up to His vast possibilities. "What" takes off our blinders and spreads out the horizon before us as we patiently await God's purpose to crest the landscape of our life. "What" changes our focus from inward to outward. "What" is asking God to lead us and show us . . . where as "Why" seeks excuses and blame.

     "What" seeks the promise of today and the future before us. "Why" can tether us to yesterday and drown us in the past.

     When those around me, presumably lost and far from God, point out that I'm off the path then something is definitely amiss with my heart.

     "What" I need to do next time I'm feeling spiritually bewildered is find His feet, kneel there, and pray earnestly while I patiently await His direction.

     For those of you, who like me, get stuck on the "Whys" consider this truth:

     "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to"  (2 Corinthians 5:16-18 ESV)

     Paul reminds us that the past does not equal the future.  That promise is before us, not behind us.  That we are precious, dear, and alive with new life.

     And so begins the 2^nd year of my blog . . . welcome back to a Prodigal's Path.

 

The Big “It”

     In my recent post "3 Paths to Forever" I made the comment that "the more often I read through The Bible the more things I find that I've never noticed before. And I often wonder if God intentionally does that to me?"

     Pondering that thought I remembered what Luke wrote about one of Christ's last actions on behalf of the disciples just before his ascension.

     "Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" (Luke 24:45 ESV)

     Parking my thoughts there for a few days I realized Jesus never promised His disciples and followers a "good time". He never said the road home would be easy or that He would fulfill our earthly dreams and wishes. He never said we would have all we want . . . rather that He would provide and be all we need. In a strange way, and admittedly slightly skewed perspective, I don't even believe that Christ will solve all the problems that we, and our sinfulness, create for ourselves. But rather that He, Christ, should be such a precious pursuit in our lives that regardless of what befalls us nothing should shadow His luster and brilliance. Our quest for the mercy of the Cross should trivialize all that the world considers problematic. 

     I'm convinced that sometimes we're just meant to suffer . . . and with great purpose . . . to get our attention. Our life's trials actually have a singular purpose . . . and a single solution. They are meant to focus our hearts, minds, and souls on Jesus.

     James says this: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4 ESV)

     "Lacking in nothing" isn't the promise of a 50 inch plasma television. It's not the cure all for our physical maladies. And it's not the promise of a fantastic education or terrific career. So what is "it", the "full effect", that makes us "perfect and complete" as James says?

     I think James answers the "it" question in verse 5 . . . . "it" is Wisdom . . . the knowledge of God and Christ. "It" is that holy and higher wisdom that allows us to see past the troublesome headlines of the day. "It" is the understanding that Christ gave to the disciples as He "opened their minds".

     Paul talks about "it" too. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2 ESV)

     There are a whole lot of messages in and about "it". Wisdom can be one of those "careful what you wish for" things in life. As James states wisdom is the product of trials, testing, and steadfastness. "It" is also the gift of earnest prayer and the result of our study of the scriptures and our pursuit of Christ and the depths of the cross . . . all this enabled by Him opening our minds to absorb His rich truths.

     Patience. Prayer. Pursuit.

 

The Year That Could Be

     The Bible is full of stories and accounts of inspiration as God motivates the hearts, minds, intellect, and hands of men to carry out His will. If you read "The Year That Could Have Been" then you know that desperation is the result of despair and hopelessness. And what about Inspiration? And how can we make 2011 Year That Could Be . . . inspired and spiritually unlike any other we've had prior?

     I'm no expert on motivation, nor do I see myself as any type of life-coach, but here are a few things that came from my experience last year.

     Inspiration has a few vague definitions but a couple I found most relevant are these: "a special influence of divinity on the minds of human beings" and the "arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity."

     For Christ Followers, that inspiration comes from aligning our life's work as He has purposed and gifted us. And there are a few things we need to consider, discover, and pursue to bring that all together in order to live a full, meaningful, and inspired life.

Know Yourself

     What I found in my tough start to last year was that my problems and challenges were created by me pursuing what I wanted; from me following my plan as I had designed and purposed. When things didn't go as I had planned desperation and despair followed. The other was that I was trying to do too much and could never say "no". We all have our limits and there are truly things most of us can do well and other things only a few of us can do at all.

     God has given each of us specific talents and abilities. Within each of us is a super-naturally occurring gift, or gifts, that He has placed within our very beings. It's your essence. It's what you are, and are destined to be if you'll only harness it and use it towards His will.

     Last year I made a list of my top 3 abilities and after talking with a friend narrowed it down to two: Music and Writing. I'm certainly capable of tackling more than that, but those we determined were my unique purposeful talents.

     This week I encourage you to do the same. Talk to your friends at Church, your small group family, your pastors, and teachers. Let those who know you help you determine a couple things you do best and the gifts that make you unquestionably you. Find those unique God given talents that you can use to meet the needs of your church and those around you.  Be patient and pray . . . ask for guidance.

Know The Trinity

     It's not often I use the word "Trinity" and that maybe a pitfall. Each entity of the Trinity has a unique position and purpose as well. Having a clear and concise understanding of how we relate to God's self-design will help us in finding our inspiration.

     God, The Father. A friend shared this just yesterday "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:10).  God simply "Is" and the depths of His being, riches, knowledge, grace, purpose, and ways are unfathomable to us. God is incredibly ginormous (gigantically-enormous) beyond imagination and He calls the Earth His "footstool" in Isaiah 66. But we can know Him through His word and by living by His precepts such as "be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46:10) that require us to push our selfish desires aside and let Him direct our lives. It means we should seek His purpose through His word and in the use of our talents and gifts.

     "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8

     Jesus Christ, our redeemer, and our example. Often called Rabbi, or teacher, Christ not only came to redeem us from our sins, but to show us The Way. His very words, actions, and heart are revealed to us throughout the New Testament.  It is through those scriptures that we can trace His footsteps and follow His example.  And it is in our personal journeys through the scriptures that we come to know Christ. Christ gives definition to our design and purpose . . . He guides us home . . . and it is He that fulfills the works of our hearts.

     "No one comes to the Father except through me"~ Jesus,  John 14:6

     The Holy Spirit. Nothing seems to drive Christians crazier than trying to put a finger on the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:2 refers to him as "The Spirit of God" and he is just that; a portion of God's Spirit sent to dwell within us. It is his resident voice that God uses to speak to us, to guide us, to protect us, and nurture our spiritual growth.

     "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." ~ Jesus, John 14:16-17

The Year That Could Be Starts Today

     What the Trinity shares in common is that we can only come to know them through their revelation in the scriptures. It is our personal responsibility to search out the knowledge that will bring us closer to Him, or them, and align our very souls with His design for our lives.

     The only resource for acquiring that knowledge is from His word, the Bible. And this year I plan to read through it myself and I'm asking you to join me. There are a multitude of plans to follow to do this and BibleGateway-Reading Plans is one online that allows you to pick a plan and a favored version of the Bible. It's the best 10 minutes a day you can invest in your faith and knowledge. Do it!

     It's when we are able to align our gifts, talents, and abilities with His purpose for our hearts, hands, and minds that we will enjoy the depths of fulfillment and inspiration.

     This is the year that could be . . . spend some time with Him and ask Him to help you make it the very best.

     Happy New Year.  Be well.

 

The Year That Could Have Been

     It's that week again . . . the last one of the year in which I, like many of us, spend some time reflecting back on the year that was . . . the year that could have been.  

     For me, 2010 didn't start out so great and it was my own fault. Within a few short weeks of the New Year I found myself in our Pastor's office announcing that "I quit." "Quite what?" he asked. "Quit everything . . . everything church related . . . perhaps it would be easier if I just wandered off into anonymity . . . where I could hang out in the back row of another church and not be bothered" was my reply. And that is where and how my year started.

     The circumstances of that conversation weren't nearly as important as the context and content. What was spilling out of my mouth were a lot of "Why me's?", "Why now's?" and "You've got to be kidding me, what's next?" We've all been there to some degree. We've all felt cornered by life and on the verge of giving up and giving in. After enduring my tale of woes I left the office with a hand drawn diagram scribbled on a piece of scrap paper and a big decision to make, 'What to do next?'

     I wandered off into what was left of the night, calm but not completely resolved. I would later thumb tack that wrinkled and folded diagram to the wall over my desk. I stared at it for a few days and then I came across Psalm 46:10,

     "Be still and know that I am God."

     And I was . . . and He Is. In the days and weeks that followed here are a few thoughts I had the reshaped a great portion and direction of my life:

 

Desperation or Inspiration

     It's often said that we are not defined by the things that happen to or around us, but rather by how we react to those situations, circumstances, and people that impose upon our lives. And it's true; those moments, or rather our reactions to those moments, can find us at one of two places spiritually; either living lives of "Desperation" or "Inspiration".

     My reaction to things not going "my way" revealed my "desperation", my weakened resolve, and my weakened relationship with The Father.

     Desperation leaves us feeling as if we're spending most of our time treading water and just trying to stay afloat. Whether those challenges are financial, emotional, at home with our family or at work; those hard moments and tough times can leave us a bit bewildered and feeling estranged from anything spiritual. It's often too easy to fall into the "Why me?", "Why now?", and "What now?" snare. And it doesn't take long at all for that small dark cloud of self-centeredness and doubt to spin into a dark monstrous storm in which suddenly everything in our life seems out of control.

     Desperation is defined as "Recklessness arising from despair".

     And Despair as the "Complete loss of hope."

     What I immediately realized is that neither of those conditions is even remotely similar to the message of The Gospel and scripture. Neither has any part or value in our relationships with God. Despair is a deception that leads us into the shallow waters of doubt. A doubt that gives way to an under-current of self reliance and a deepening pool of self-centeredness that will drown the very life out of what should be a hope filled spirit.

 

Two Wrongs Don't Make It Right

     While in that meeting I could come up with a half dozen, or so, 'good' excuses justifying my desperate reactions. None of them offered me hope, comfort, or the opportunity to resolve the issues and circumstances at hand. Our excuses amount to nothing more than our own justifications for acting poorly. It's as if we believe that being wronged pardons us to practice "an eye for an eye" rather than the forgiveness we've been called to. Those moments of desperation may be a momentary reflection of where our dependence is rooted at the moment: either in ourselves, some other person, or some other man-made entity that has let us down.

     Romans 12:19-21 implores us to let God be the great equalizer and again that our resolve should to "be still" and our reactions charitable.

     Acting out of desperation divides our spirits and separates us from the peace, joy, and comfort that trust and faith in The Father provides.

 

There Are Two Plans For Your Life.

     It's scary but true. On the surface it sounds a bit crazy to characterize life as a dramatic, movie-like, cataclysmic battle between Good and Evil. But it is . . . isn't it? Fortunately or unfortunately, that it put us right in the middle of a battle for our hearts, minds, and souls. And while it's nice to blissfully skip down the road home to salvation we can never throw caution to the wind because, like God, Satan too has a plan for our life . . . all we have to do is give into desperation's darkness and step off the path to find it.

 

"Be still and know that I am God."

     It sounds all too easy, but there are requirements. A solid core belief in God's providence shouldn't, and doesn't, provide us the privilege to lethargically sit back and wait for Him to take action. Contrarily it should be the driving force that motivates our very beings with the faith that if we do everything within our power and ability to pursue Him that he indeed will provide us with a purposeful existence.

     That purposeful existence allows us to savor the great hope that proves to be our sole, and soul's Inspiration.

 

Encouraging the Discouraged – A Letter To My Wife.

   As much as we would like to keep our heads down and plow through our days uninterrupted by the events of the world it just seems at some point we all get tapped on the shoulder and come face to face with life's curve balls. My wife, Loriann, got a full dose of disappointment followed by a shot of discouragement this last week.

   Now that our two children are able to dress, feed, and somewhat successfully fend for themselves for an hour or so after school she's been pursuing a full-time career of her choosing and not just settling for something that fits the time constraints of raising constantly needy kids. She's persistent. She knows exactly what she wants to do now that she's somewhat freed up time-wise. But in today's economic environment great opportunities seem elusive. I'm sure like so many others she got excited about a great interview and exciting opportunity last week only to meet and feel the heart break of discouragement. She got excited about a great interview and what seemed to be a dream job. She found out she was the #1 pick until . . . well, it all went away.

   She called me broken up and choking back her disappointment. You would think that someone who can write so fluently would be able to say just as much and speak expressively from the heart. Well, I can't.  As horrible as I too felt the most I could well up was a sympathetic "I'm sorry." The call ended and I loitered around the garage a bit picking up wrenches, cleaning tools, and putting the motorcycle away for the winter ahead. I collected my thoughts and sent her this note:

Lori,

   Here is what I know about life . . . and God . . .  that He loves you a lot . .  . that He does have something better waiting for you and the disappointment you feel right now, today, will only make His waiting gift for you even that much more precious and meaningful.  You have to know and believe in the depths of your heart that He does have something for you.  He never said anything would ever be easy.  And I don't think He chooses to work that way . . . I don't honestly believe He wants to spoil us by handing us free reign to His riches. I believe he expects to work hard, to put everything in our being into our pursuits and into pursuing Him.  Why?  Why would a loving Father not just hand us the "good and perfect gifts" that James talks about?  I believe it's because God loves appreciation and gratification.  God loves heartfelt praise and glorification.  God loves to see us over-joyed and happy . . . and God knows we get there through dedication and persistent meaningful pursuits.

   Here is what I know about you . . . that I love you . . . and that I love you a lot.  I know I believe in you and I know you'll keep working hard and pursuing your perfect pursuit.  I also know that in the end, when that perfect opportunity does show up, in God's perfect timing, that you'll be extremely excited, enthusiastic, and ever grateful.  

  Be encouraged that people are calling and talking to you in a world and time where people are about to exhaust 2 years of unemployment benefits.  Be ever grateful that your practice and presentation has made you a first or second choice on someone's list . . . it means you're just that much closer . . . just another day away . . . He knows it . . . He is there, right there next to you . . . sharing in your disappointment and asking you to trust Him.  It's true.    

  What else is true is that I love you now more than ever . . . and what is mind and heart altering to me is that He is able to love you more . . . it doesn't seem possible.  

  Lori . . . He knows . . . but tell Him anyway.  Tell Him you're disappointed, hurting, and discouraged.  Tell Him you don't understand why . . . and tell Him you trust Him.  He already knows . . . but He wants to hear it from you.  He's just that way . . . I know.   

  Patience, Persistence, and Prayer.

Love you lots,

Harlan

 

   It's all true. God does have a plan . . . for all of us. What is also true is that God has always used, and continues to use, the power of contrast to bring us to Himself. God uses our disappointment and discouragement to bring us great happiness when we finally come around to leaning on Him and fully trusting in His care. Christ never said "come to the cross and I will solve all your problems" . . . instead He implores us to find faith, trust, belief, and life in Himself and the plans He has made for us. It's our impatience that bankrupts us all. We often sell ourselves short when we choose to exhaust and give up not only on ourselves, but on Him.

   John Lennon said "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." I'm not sure Lennon ever considered 'Whose plans?' Ours? Or His?

   Jesus, in Matthew 6:25-33 confronts our worry and anxiety. Again, he uses contrast to draw us nearer to Him by showing us how God provides for even the birds and flowers of the earth and expresses how much more valuable we are to Him. He asks us to "seek first the kingdom of God", His plan, and that He knows and will meet our needs if we first pursue and trust Him. Then he adds:

   "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~ Jesus, (Matthew 6:34 ESV)