I Love Life's Transitions (NOT)

Have you ever had this happen to you? You are just getting settled into a routine, getting yourself organized, figuring this thing called life out, when out of the blue, BAM! (copyright Emeril) something changes. Maybe its something as common as a fender bender; you know someone hits you from behind as you turn into Starbucks for a Grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte, in case you wanted to buy me one, and your day is shot. (No coffee/Starbucks/Expresso pun intended)

It can be something that simple, and annoying, or it can be some of the big stuff. You know what I mean, we are surrounded by it. People lose their jobs with no warning, health problems set back your dreams, hopes and finances. There has been an increase of young males dying early because of hypertension, caused by high blood pressure... Pressure, it is all around us. Transitions always bring pressure.

Paul says in II Corinthians that the "light afflictions come to bring in our lives a greater weight of glory". Could it be that the pressure we are feeling today, the inconveniences we are tolerating are purposefully and strategically designed to transition us to a greater level of "glory", the new carrier we have been too scared to pursue before, the ministry we have been too "successful" to start? Could it be that the transitions we are in are not just an accident, but have been designed to bring God's purpose and plan into our lives?

I think this is exactly the case. The Bible says that if you love God, everything works together for your good. That everything means everything - the job loss, the helpless feeling you have right now, the fender-bender, the spilled cup of coffee on your new shirt, the seemingly mundane irritations of life - all things work together for our good.

I know in my life that is exactly how it has been. When I was the most irritated, and the most troubled by an irritation or situation, God was working in the background for a greater and eternal weight of glory, he was working out my purpose. It was a set back that ultimately brought Deidre and I to Hot Springs. Had it not been for a job lay-off I would not have been desperate enough to ask God what He had in mind for us. I had already began to devise a plan, but God had something different in mind, and the pressure got my attention.

I challenge you today, when the irritations come, and they will, stop cursing them and hating them (at least for a moment) and look around at what is happening. Maybe, just maybe, God is applying pressure so He can take you closer to fulfilling your purpose. Take a minute right now to ask God what He is up to in your life...

Where's the Wind Blowing?

John 3:8 (The Message) You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”

When you enter this life of following after the Christ you enter into a life no longer guided by the same landmarks as your old life. The old life is measured by tangible things, years, money, possessions, titles. The new life is measured by the things you cannot see, faith, hope, love, grace, mercy, maturity. The old things are visible, tangible, they are perceived by your senses, you can taste, touch, smell, see and hear them. This new thing is visible as to the effects, you can see and hear where happened after the fact.

This new thing is driven by the wind of the spirit. Like a natural wind, it is invisible, yet it can be seen, it is mad of "nothing" yet it can produce something. Our job in life it to learn to ride the wind. To learn to perceive the direction, the speed and the destination of the wind. To put up the sails of our lives and catch the uncatchable, and hold the intagible.

This is the source of great frustration for most. For sometimes the wind seems to be clear, it is blowing NNW at 50 miles/hour. Other times is seem to be still, and yet other times it seems to be spinning widly in circles. These are the times that we have to know who is in control of the wind. Jesus is the master of the uncontrolable, as the Disciples said, "Even the wind and the waves obey him".

In the middle of the hurricane, tornado, stillness or breeze you are in right now, take you hands off the controls and allow the master to steer the ship. You may not be able to navigate this storm, you may not be able to make the boat move, you may be going in a direction that is oppostie what you thought, allow Jesus to speak to the wind in you life today.

Stop right now and say Jesus, I give you control of my life. Now take a deep breath and watch the effects of the wind, for the steps of a righteous man and woman are ordered after the Lord. He said he knows the plan he has for you, a plan to bless you and give you a future and a purpose! Speak to the wind today Jesus!