by David Brenneman
Oh the promises of God when life has a lemon sale and you've got plenty!
It's easy to complain. To ourselves, to others, even to God.
It's not difficult to see that in ourselves and others of the real problem that began with the birth of sin. That Jesus told Adam that it would be by the sweat of his brow he would get the Earth to bring forth it's produce. That it would no longer give it to him working for it.
Life often takes twists and turns, often at what seems to be the worst of times. That wording got me thinking of a book titled "It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times", a book that I have never read.
In and through all the parts of the book of Psalms we see David writing about what was on his heart. He indeed knew how to graphically tell someone something. Ever want something new to experience, listen through the Bible. Close your eyes and listen and watch visions of things you listen to come alive. It's one thing to read a novel and TRY to get it to come alive in your mind, reading the Bible by listening and it does it for you.
I used to almost effortlessly collapse in the face of troubles in life. A problem arises and just about instantly hope of a solution vanishes. Jesus never had left me, but I chose to embrace despair rather than Him.
In one of my times of complaining to Jesus on one of my trips between here and where we used to live, I poured out my heart, and in my despair got honest with Jesus about a few things. I talked about many things to Him on my way since the drive was so long. Problems arose and sometimes I even cried while driving because of the stress, anxiety and pain of what life felt like.
In at least one occasion of one of these trips Jesus unequivocally grabbed my hand and pulled me through an extremely harrowing driving experience.
To this day I consider life in light of that experience. I indeed don't always have the answers to things when they break. That's certainly a hard confession. As one who has felt hardwired to troubleshoot things to stop before getting started at a particular problem isn't easy. To trust that God already knew in advance of the difficulty that I am facing, that He's already seen the solution, it's only on me to pray and proceed.
Psalm 23:4-6 NASB "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever."
I noticed this time reading through these verses just how quickly the transition is from I to You. It begins with I walking, and David immediately sees that Jesus is right there in the mix with him.
It's easy to throw in the towel when we want one thing and God does something else instead. We wanted this to happen and that happened instead.
We often still forget that it's His Will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. His Word cannot and will not fail to come about. It can't. In both the lives of individuals as well as the human race, God's Will, WILL come about. We often prolong things because of our poor choices and decisions, often as well God takes the opportunities from us and gives them to others due to our unbelief and His need to be on time to His clock.
In even the last 24 hours life didn't go as I hoped it would. Plumbing problems and several nights of less than stellar sleep seemed to happen. But God didn't go "Wow! Didn't see that coming! My bad!" He easily was at my side assuring me that I could go to sleep knowing that it will be handled.
An anchor is a device designed to keep something extremely big from moving in bodies of water. On land an anchor is a device designed to afix something to something else on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Such as a wall anchor is used to secure a shelf.
In Spiritual matters Jesus is the Anchor. He is immovable when not moving is what's necessary and best. He is imminently able to know what's best and when. He is all knowing in all things. Knowing every single possible outcome.
He is easily better to hold onto than fear or anxiety or stress. What we do in those times reveals a lot about where our trust is.
Often my reactions seem to be panic attacks or panic reactions. I can honestly say that in recent months that's not what is happening. It's relying on God to use others abilities to work out what needs done because He never intended for me to handle everything for every single situation. I indeed know a lot about a lot of things but I rob others of a blessing by saying "oh I got this!" all the time.
I may be walking through, but it's HIS rod HIS staff that comforts. It's still, no matter what my eyes see, or my ears hear, or my heart understands, going to be His Will being done when I leave the choice to Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Our way is always fraught with insane ups and downs. Like an audio signal on a oscilloscope. His way is far smoother.
He indeed promised life, life more abundant. It will indeed have ups and downs but the path will be smoother.
We can and will still complain. David did too at times. But we can choose to complain less. Can choose to sit at His feet more, trusting ourselves less. Giving others the opportunity to help when that's not just what we need but those doing the helping need.
Our "I got this!" attitude isn't as constructive as we want to believe. For several decades I took the long hard way back to where Jesus wanted me because I thought I knew what God wanted and jumped ahead of Him.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
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