Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

It’s often said that the only constant in life is change.  That has been true for us this summer.  Within our family: we have sold or are selling four homes, buying three, two families have moved, Marie and I are in the process, our three grandsons have changed schools, Adrienne and Tom just got married, and Adrienne has gone from single woman to wife and mother.  I’m sure there are more changes, but that’s about all my mind can process at the moment.  Most of these changes are intentional.  The boys, however, had no say in the matter, but seem to be adapting reasonably well.  As reflected in our family’s situations this summer, some change is chosen and some is not.  No matter whether we choose change or whether it is thrust upon us without our consent, there are usually benefits that are enjoyed and challenges that cause frustration.  It is incumbent upon us to recognize that both are God’s will for us and must be received graciously and thankfully.

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Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name.  Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You.  Psalm 33:20-22

When Marie and I first moved to Chattanooga, we lived on Lookout Mountain.  With respect to the greater area, it was known as the place where “old money” lived; that is, those with established wealth resided there.  While not everyone was wealthy, there were plenty of large houses and mansions as well as expensive cars.  Consequently, when we purchased a home, we chose to move into the valley which not only allowed us to purchase a better home for less money, but also made it easier to be content with what God had provided for us.   While I recognized at that time that coveting and the resulting lack of contentment were weaknesses of mine, God has used the various trials of life, especially my illness, to teach me about contentment and that it is, in fact, a choice.  When it comes to that choice, there are three options that can cause us to readily abandon contentment: entitlement, anger, and worry.

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But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.  Isaiah 64:8

As I write, facilitate support groups, council, and discuss my own situation, the subject of God’s work to refine, shape and equip is always a significant topic.  While I certainly don’t enjoy the pain and suffering associated with my health issues or the negative impacts of them on my family members, I rejoice in what I have endured due to the changes that they have brought in my life…especially my spiritual life.  Whether it is physical, spiritual or mental pain, I know that God is at work refining me and perfecting me…especially when I choose to cooperate with the process rather than fighting it.  I rejoice because God desires that I be more like Christ and adequately equipped for each task that He has planned for me.  God in His love and mercy is continually at work to mold me into the man that He envisioned before time.  (Ephesians 1:4)  I also trust that He is doing the same for you.

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“They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.’ And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.  Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away.”  Ezra 3:11-13

New Year’s Eve is the time when we tend to evaluate the past year and look to the new one with a hope of great things to come.  Our best New Year’s Eve was December 31, 1981.  That night our younger daughter was born and there was literally a party atmosphere in the delivery room.  In addition to my wife and me, there were two doctors, three interns, a couple of nurses and an anesthesiologist.  Rather than waiting for a ball to drop in New York City, we were awaiting the arrival of a child.  While it was mostly a joyful event, there was also pain as my wife would have to recover from the surgery.  While we like to label each year as good or bad, the reality of this life is that most years are a mixture of joy and sorrow.  That was the mood as the exiles from Babylon viewed the foundation of the new temple.  Those that remembered the former glory of Jerusalem wept at over the loss of what once was.  However, there was also the joy of Jerusalem being rebuilt.  It’s a good lesson in life…how to gracefully accept the joys and sorrows of life understanding that God has orchestrated our lives with purpose so that in the end we may be blessed with a joyful eternity. 

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“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:26

Trust is a fairly basic concept as it rests solely on confidence.  That confidence relies on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of some entity or object.  In contrast, what we consider valuable in our lives and how much we fear losing those things varies from person to person due to maturity, faith, relationships, life experiences, etc.  Another contrast between the two is the impact on our well-being.  Trust provides calm, healing and peace while fear brings distraction, stress and destruction.  Fear comes in varying degrees and for various reasons but consider the following factors of fear: the object, the measurement, the security and the trustee.

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

My wife and I went to a dinner theater last week with my aunt, uncle and a few of their friends.  Shortly before the intermission, one of the ladies in our group collapsed into the lap of the woman sitting next to her.  Admittedly, given her symptoms, most of us thought that she was dying.  Thankfully, by the time the ambulance arrived, she had recovered enough to walk to the gurney.  After spending the night in the hospital, she was released with a heart monitor.  Aside from the obvious concerns for those involved, it raised a deeply rooted fear of my own.  As much as I accept God’s will in my life, the thought of a public medical emergency still haunts me…and I’ve had a few.  For many of us, it raises concerns about embarrassment, image, and acceptance.  Ultimately, we cannot control the events of our lives, but we can control our response to them with a bit of truth.

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O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.  Psalm 10:17-18

As I stated in the last post (Pride and Humility Part 1 –  Pride Renounced), we live in a culture that promotes autonomy, independence and self-assuredness.  When controlled, these characteristics are useful tools in life.  However, left unchecked, they will likely lead to pride.  Prideful arrogance impedes a relationship with God, inhibits relationships with others, multiplies guilt, brings dishonor and insures judgement.   Alternatively, humility is often despised by our culture because it appears to be the weaker trait.  However, it is desired by God because it yields rewards in both this life and the one to come.  Following are a few of the benefits.

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But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  1 Timothy 6:11-12

I’ve watched several people die…it’s not a particularly pleasant experience.  The closer you are to them, the harder it is.  The longer it takes, the more time you have to think.  That time and that pondering offer an opportunity for personal reflection in a way that no other experience does.  As someone you love is on the brink of entering eternity, what is important in life seems to be much clearer than when we are in the daily race meeting deadlines and running errands, etc.   Knowing that a loved one will shortly meet their Lord and God allows the Holy Spirit to speak to us and apply God’s word to our lives in ways that drive home His message with more depth and understanding.  In short, it is a wake-up call to pursue a life well lived…that is, to live intentionally rather than passively.

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“Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.” Psalm 119:143-144

Trouble…it seems like a simple enough word to understand.   However, when looking at definitions from secular sources, those provided were vague and had more to do with how trouble affects our comfort level or convenience rather than anything significant.  In contrast, “Vine’s Bible Dictionary” states it clearly as:  tribulation or affliction.  Trouble comes in many forms.  At times it is the result of a personal attack while at other times it is and “random”/general attack that we’re caught in.  It may be an external threat or an internal one such as mental or physical illness.  The point is that, as those living in a fallen world, we are going to experience trouble throughout our lives from the trivial to the monumental.  We will enjoy a more peaceful existence if we learn to view it as God does and trust that He is ever faithful to care for us.  One of the mental hurdles for us is that from our perspective, God’s care for us appears to be inconsistent.

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“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.”  Hebrews 12:5-6

Life can seem to be trying and wearisome at times.  This summer is the third summer in a row that my wife has had to use crutches due to injury.   My own health issues have been more challenging this year.  I have added two new specialists to my list of doctors and will likely add a third by the end of the year.  And yet, despite our struggles and their related frustration and fatigue, we consider ourselves quite fortunate having learned over time that:  our situation could be much worse; our trials are truly “light and momentary”; and God is faithful to sustain us.  It doesn’t make the endurance an easy thing, but it does encourage us and provide a healthier perspective than our culture offers.  With this understanding, we further recognize that the discipline and sustaining grace of God is infinitely better than being neglected.

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