after i published my last thought, i started thinking.. what good would it really do to tell a newbie graduate what i've learned? i'd been on the receiving end myself when i was on the verge of graduation - eagerly absorbing any advice that came my way. and yet, i still had to endure the difficulties and sadness that followed this happy cap and gown ceremony. is it any use? i almost pulled that post.. thinking i'd have to come up with a better conclusion before i repost. or better advice.. or, i dunno.. a good joke that euphematically summarizes the season of crappiness that may follow their graduation.
boy, am i chipper these days!
during sunday school pastor gee has been showing a video series from focus on the family about the israelites coming out of egypt and into the desert. sometimes i feel bad for not taking it seriously because of the epic music that plays in the background and the weirdo dramatization that happens. but the message content is really quite amazing. this sunday, the tour guide took the group through deuteronomy 17. lessons on trials and obedience, manna and quail. i can't find my notes so my thoughts are kinda all over the place.
the question that came up in the previous series and again in this week's installment was whether or not we should pray for trials. trials meaning hardships that test every fiber of our livelihood - physical, emotional, spiritual. it's different for everyone, but whatever the test, god is looking to see whether our complete obedience and reliance on him stands these experiential circumstances. the tour guide calls these desert times a honeymoon with god.
i say from experience that it is definitely when i'm at whit's end when i'm feverishly reading the word and praying prayers for things i'm not even sure how or what to pray - a constant dialogue with god because i don't know what else i can do. honeymoon's not quite the right word i would use to explain it unless i have a completely wrong idea of what that word means.. but in any case, the tour guide says these situations allow us to show in our actions what is in our heart. it's like it's just me n god, duking it out - him winning of course, and me humbled by his power and rule not just over my life, but over every single freaking detail of every single thing. i'm compelled to give up my own resistances and let his peace overtake me. and because of that, i fall even more in love with my father and creator.
so trial or no trial? well, if it's a choice between finding love or living in emptiness, i think the choice is clear. i mean, i hear it all the time: you'd do anything for love. when it comes to the father of the heavenly lights, does the same apply?
the tour guide closes the episode with one last point. a point that he's hesitant to bring up because it is so difficult yet so prevalent in our lives. he says, perhaps the hardest thing we will ever encounter. i sat there thinking, what could be harder?
it is when things are going good. when things are good, we, like the israelites, like me - with hamster size brains, forget about god and the sovereign mercy and grace he gives to us, and revert to relying on our own strength and capabilities. and the god who longs for our attention and delights in our communion with him gets left out. that is when things get gnarly. pride, selfishness, idolatry, self-reliance.. those things get in the way and lead us into a spiraling dive down the path of sin. not good.
so what does this have anything to do with advice i would give to people who are anticipating life after college? not much of what i say will steer you clear of troubles and disappointments that come your way. nothing will prepare you for what's to come. but there is one thing that must be held onto - and that is a heart of obedience to follow god and rely on him. all the time.
reminds me of that scene in the movie twister where the main couple characters chain themselves to the pipes of a bathroom sink. when the tornado came through, there was nothing they could do but to be swept up into the eye of the storm - prevented from being carried away into certain death by all but one chain that anchored them down.
mmm.. lost my train of thought.. i wonder where those notes went.
No comments:
Post a Comment