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.

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)

 

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.

 

3 Paths to Forever

      It seems to never fail . . . that is, 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 or if my attention span and memory are really that bad?

     Recently I found it interesting that there have been 3 paths to live forever recorded in The Bible.

 

 The Tree of Life.

     Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—" therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24 ESV)

     Man was sent out of the garden for two apparent reasons: First, his trespass of God's will by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil resulting in man's intimacy with sin. Second, to separate him from the ability to physically live forever by eating from the Tree of Life. 

  

The Ride of a Lifetime.

     And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings 2:11 ESV)

     I've always said I'd like to pass on quietly while sleeping . . . but being as I'm a big fan of going fast and motorcycles, if I could swing this I'd be in. There is one other account of man not tasting death and that is of Enoch.

     Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:23-24 ESV)

     The widely held belief is that these faithful servants were spared deaths touch by God's deep love for their devotion.

 

Christ. The Single Solution.

     "Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." ~ Jesus (John 14:1-3 ESV)

     "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~ Jesus (John 14:6 ESV)

     For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV)

 

So I still wonder.

     Does God intentionally reveal himself to me a morsel at a time through devotion, reading, and thoughtfulness? Or are my attention span and memory that bad?

     In either case, both of which I think are true, I love what the author of Acts says about the Bereans:

     "they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11 ESV)

     Pray for each other; that we could all be so diligent and eager in our pursuit of Him.

 

“Scooby Doo . . . Where Are You?”

     As I stated in "The Year That Could Be" ; "Nothing seems to drive Christians crazier than trying to put a finger on the Holy Spirit." And nothing could be truer than my personal pursuit to unravel the "mystery" of this seemingly elusive member of The Trinity.

     The shroud of mystery and suspense began with references like "Holy Ghost" . . . a little spooky . . . and the "Holy Spirit" . . . less spooky, but more mysterious. So I grew up wondering if this was some celestial entity that followed me around reporting back to command central in Heaven about what I was up to? Was he perched up on my shoulder taking note of my deeds or whispering into the hollows of my ear? Was he there to guide me, punish me, convict me, tell on me . . . or worse yet . . . haunt me with "goodness"?

     Upon returning to the Church in 2003 tracking down the root of this mystery became one of my first quests. It's hard to explain, but during my 20 years of wandering in the shadows of life I always felt "protected" for lack of a better word . . . I always had a feeling that somehow, some way, some day I would find my way back . . . something better was in store for me than these moments at the trough.

     In 2006 my father, a retired minister, lay on his death bed while I desperately pressed him for any, and every, inkling of knowledge and wisdom he had about the Holy Spirit. It was amongst the last of our conversations. I buried myself in books and I relentlessly asked questions of nearly everyone. "What's the BIG Mystery of the Holy Spirit?"

     It took but Charles F. Stanley pocket-sized book "Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit" to answer nearly every question I had and to put a proper perspective on this "mystery". I believe it is our own vernacular which confuses us. It's the words we use that create the cloud that mystifies us. It's our cultural predisposition to words like "spirit" and "ghost" that send our curious minds off into a metaphysical whirlpool in which understanding about the Holy Spirit remain elusive.

     Stanley is quick to acknowledge the propensity we have to confuse ourselves with words like "ghost" and points out that the clearest frame of reference is in The Beginning. Genesis 1:2 calls Him the "Spirit of God". All of the sudden it, rather He, makes a lot more sense. It is the Spirit of God that we are given. It is the Spirit of God that guides, grows, nurtures, convicts, and motivates us. It is the Spirit of God that helps us find our way home. It, or He, is not some ghastly ghostly haunting that reside 45 degrees off our shoulder and just beyond the reaches of our eyesight. The Spirit of God resides within the impassioned membrane of our souls. He's not a spirit or ghost of the dead that our imaginations may conjure up . . . but rather the Spirit of He who lives.

     Forget Scooby Doo and ghost . . . think E.T. Remember in the movie E.T. when ET starts to glow because he feels love, life, and passion? Well, in my own goofy and contemporary way that is a lot more accurate representation of the Spirit of God than are words like "ghost". Much like ET's life-force, God's Spirit is our indwelling beacon that urges us to seek the path home.

 

 

     "Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit" is a quick and easy read. Stanley answers the fundamental questions of "Who, What, Why, Where, and When?" in a clear and concise fashion that will add a new dimension to the understanding and appreciation of your faith. Best yet is that it's less than $10.  "Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit" at Amazon.com

     And remember; He is the "Spirit of God" . . .

      

 

Complaint Line Forms Here . . .

. . . behind Job.

     Need new perspective on your worst day? Take a quick look at Job's:

     "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil." (Job 1:1 ESV)

     Satan Takes Job's Property and Children

     "Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you." While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

     Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

     In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong." (Job 1:13-22 ESV)

     I don't think there is much more that I can add other than that Job's reaction is stunning; it leaves me spiritually numb.

     Suddenly that flat tire, lost shoe, forgotten password, missed appointment, wrong note played, over-cooked steak, lousy slow driver in front of me, broken coffee maker, spilled water at the table . . . amount to much of anything worth complaining about.

     Now if I can learn to worship and praise God in those challenging moments.

 

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.