In Spite of my Efforts

Saturday I was honored to speak at a graduation commencement ceremony. I personally know the graduates and consider it a privilege to be offering them words of encouragement and direction. In fact, I was so happy with my speech, days earlier, I posted it on my blog. Yea, I know. I was setting myself up for a humiliating experience. So, at the graduation, my name is announced and I step forward to speak -- open my Bible to Genesis -- glance at the notes and..... (((( wait for it )))) .... I brought my sermon notes from a Ecclesiastes Bible Study I taught a couple days earlier. CRUD I didn't even bring the graduation speech notes. The good Lord likes to keep me very humble. So I blathered on through my speech.... as best I could remember. God promised that He would always bless His Word. So I kept it simple and clear and shut up. Oddly enough, no one noticed I was "note-less". So either I frequently blather around in my sermons and that is what everyone is accustomed to OR the good Lord reached into people's hearts and blessed in a supernatural way -- in spite of my efforts. Don't you love the fact that God is in control? I find it a huge relief to accept that God is at work, always accomplishing what is best in every situation. I am the first to admit that often, I have not a clue what God's plan is or what He is doing. However, I am also the first to acknowledge that the King if Kings and Lord of Lord -- does not answer to me. God is under no obligation to explain His actions to me. The question, "WHY?" will not be answered this side of Heaven. That is why God calls you and me to, "walk by faith, not by sight". If you could see everything -- it wouldn't be a "leap of faith". “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life— whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,  yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:28-34

Abandonment Issues

Over a year ago, my wife and I drove to Seattle and visited a Pug Rescue Center.  It was there that we met a 10 year old ½ Pug, ½ Bulldog, ½ Heinz 57 named “Bubba Joe”.  10 years ago, Bubba Joe and his sister were selected together from a litter in Seattle. 

About a year ago, his sister passed away of cancer and the owners (for whatever reason), dropped him off at the Pug Rescue Center for adoption. 
 

Michele and I were drawn to the forlorn looking pooch curled up at the edge of yard.  He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.  I plopped down next to him in the grass and he didn’t even look up.  He gave off the vibe that he had been through this before and for “self-preservation” reasons, he wasn’t going to get his hopes up. 

I told the veterinarian that owns the Pug Rescue Center that Bubba Joe was going home with us.  She seemed to understand what drew me to the old dog and was happy that he was going to a family that had room for him to freely roam.

I relate this story because over a year later, every time I tell Bubba Joe we are going for a “ride” and start walking towards the pickup, he freaks out and starts backing up with his tail between his legs and a look of fear on his face.  He loves living with us and is spoiled beyond words – but he still remembers his last owner loading him up and giving him a 1-way trip to the adoption agency. 
Our spiritual take-away from this story is simply this, “No matter what our past relationship experiences has been – God will never abandon you”. 

Do not take your negative relationship experiences and superimpose them over onto God. 

God loves you

God cares about you

God will always bring the best out of every situation

Believing this is called, “faith”. 

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”  Genesis 50:20

Bloom Where Planted

Michele likes buying those small planter trays for spring starter plants.

She purchased 3 trays at the Walmart. 2 of the trays are growing like weeds.

The third tray, nothing. Zilch. Nada.

So, today the sun was shining and the warm rays were very promising. She couldn't stand it, so the third tray got relocated out to the porch. Her master plan is that perhaps a change of environment and some fresh air will spur the Petunia's into a growth spirt.

She is desperately waiting for any sign of life but it refuses to bloom.

My point is this, all three trays were filled with the same soil, and the same fertilizer, with seeds from the same store and one tray is following a different path.

How often do we not only expect but demand that everyone grow and live in a method that we consider normal and are comfortable with?

Heaven forbid if someone moves our cheese and colors outside the lines that we have established as our comfort zone.

Face it, some people have to make every mistake for themselves and they use our warnings as roadmaps to their next encounter with pain.

This morning I received a phone call from a dear friend that wanted counsel on how best to assist an alcoholic neighbor. This is more common that you would expect. The problem is, we can't wish healthy decisions onto people. They need time for God to change their heart and bring them to a place of life change.

So how exactly does God bring people to the point of life change?
By controlling circumstances, events and people to accomplish His will.

One of the most hope restoring verses in the Bible is Genesis 50:20. I use this on a weekly basis when I counsel people that are struggling with anger and forgiveness issues.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.
He brought me to this position
so I could save the lives of many people."
Genesis 50:20

All this brings you to one question that you must answer:
"Do you trust that God is good, in every situation, to always do what is best?"

God will use circumstances, events and people to bring you to a point of honesty and humility before Him. No excuses. No explaining. No rationalizing. No bargaining.

Your spiritual takeaway for today is, "If you trust God to be good, in every situation, will you thank Him for putting you in the situation you are in right now?"

If you trust God to be good, in every situation, will you thank Him for putting a difficult person in your life?

If you trust God to be good, in every situation, will you thank Him for allowing you to experience what you are going through right now?

If you can thank God for everything in your life, then you are beginning to view your life from God's perspective and you will experience a life of spiritual maturity and health.

"Dear brothers and sisters,
when troubles come your way,
consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested,
your endurance has a chance to grow.
So let it grow,
for when your endurance is fully developed,
you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
If you need wisdom,
ask our generous God,
and he will give it to you.
He will not rebuke you for asking."
James 1:2-5