Are You Moved?
A couple of weeks ago, I had heard some unexpected negative news concerning our Senior Pastor’s health. It was hard to believe. Here is a man who has instilled such great faith in all of his congregation. He is a military man, a rock, and a fighter. With all that he has taught and imparted to us about health and healing, it was stunning. Hello? How could this man, our pastor, be fighting something like this? Well, the fight of your faith commences.
My mom passed away a year and a half ago after battling cancer. She never gave up hope. She was believing for her healing up to the end. So, if she had such great faith and passed away, and now your senior pastor has a health related issue, what are you suppose to think.
So this week, our pastor was going to take some time away to aggressively treat it. Then the news last night, after preliminary testing to determine his treatment, they can’t find anything. Um, what? Nothing? Clean bill of health? Yes, that’s the deal! Great News! God gets all the glory!
So now where is my faith? Do I add up all the people with great faith that didn’t make it and all of the ones that did? I guess I am at 50/50 then. Is that what we are suppose to do?
I don’t think so. We are not suppose to be moved by circumstance. The “news” on the economy is not good. Should I be moved? So and so had a strong marriage and now they are getting a divorce, should I be concerned? My father in-law committed suicide at 50, does this mean our family is cursed?
If my eyes were on other people or circumstances for my faith, I would be toast. That is not your gauge. Some people disappoint, some people are great examples. Circumstances are always in flux. The only true measure is the hope and promise that can only be found in His word. That is your measuring stick. By keeping my eyes on the what He has to say, I find myself breezing through those stormy days. I find myself more grounded and less likely to be blown off course. So, may you find yourself relying on His promises as you navigates the waters of your life.
Multitude of Counsel
I have been in the middle of change in this period of my life at work and at home. The changes are requiring me to make decisions that impact the lives of many others. At times, I am overwhelmed and partially paralyzed by so many choices that lay before me. I would continue to drift in that direction if I was not purposeful in sorting out these issues. It seems as if I cannot make some of those decisions fast enough, others require me to wait on the decisions of others, and yet others take considerable more time to sort out.
The ones that take longer to sort out require me to weigh multiple options. Many times, I am choosing between a good option and another good option and I need more information to help make the right choice. The right choice isn’t necessarily the expedient one. I love to get the perspective of others. I seek the insights of others and try to look at the issue from their side of the fence. I am a feedback junkie. In the Bible it states: Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV) “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Being out there on your own is a very dangerous place to be.
After getting all that input, the ability to stop and slow down completes this process. It is when I am in those quiet times that I am able to hear that still small voice of God. Following that peace helps to confirm and solidify those tough decisions that need to take place. I am thankful for His peace that is a guidepost in my life. May you take the time to slow down and listen to Him and follow the direction that He can only give.