K.I.S.S.

This week, I have to admit, I have been a bit overwhelmed. This has been a weird 2011. There was the ice that shut down so much of February and put us behind on rehearsals, shut down Superbowl plans, etc. Then, there was Clint's murder and Judy's beating, which shocked us to the core and will forever change us. Then, a month later, my grandmother passed away. And there have been a million things in between. It's been an overwhelming and emotional time.

This past week, Easter week, was the first time I felt like I was "back in the game". It seems like it was my first "normal" week in a long time. But with that normalcy came the reality of how far behind I've gotten the last two months.

When I get busy and overwhelmed, anxiety creeps in. When anxiety takes root, my first reaction is to try to control it all. I tend to take it all on myself, and not trust the Lord with "it" (fill in the blank--whatever "it" is). I realize, though, that when I become that way, it's because somewhere deep down I don't trust God enough. Isn't that crazy to say? That I don't trust God? Because in my mind and in my heart, I absolutely do. But my sinful nature competes with that trust, and somehow plants that little seed of doubt. It may come in the form of "This is such a little thing, God doesn't really have time for this. He's got bigger things to do." Or, maybe me seeing someone else nearby in such incredible pain, that I need to let God just take care of her and not bother Him with my little problems. Or perhaps, I don't even give God a thought. I just simply go on auto-pilot and tackle "it" myself. And, needless to say, whenever that happens, I fail miserably. Sure, I may accomplish the task, but at what cost? In accomplishing a task, I might hurt a relationship, or yell at my kids. It never works well when I try to control things and operate on my power alone.

This week, as I was feeling overwhelmed, I read 2 Peter 3:8, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." As I read that, I paused and asked God why today couldn't be like a thousand years so I could get everything done that I needed to get done. I felt as if He answered me, saying, "Who has placed these deadlines on you? Are they real deadlines or arbitrary ones? What about MY time with you?" As I read on, this conviction became even stronger. Verses 11-12 say, "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming."

It seemed really simple to me right then (you've heard the old adage "Keep It Simple, Stupid). Everything that was overwhelming me faded away. What I am to do is LIVE, and live a life that is holy and godly. If I'm doing that, everything else falls into place. Now, I realize Peter's talking about end times in this passage, but isn't he also talking about "now" times? We won't know the time nor the hour of the Lord's coming. So, he's not asking us to live that way in 10 years when we're more mature. He's telling us to live that way every day. "You ought to live holy and godly lives."

It's amazing. As I spent this time with the Lord, asking Him questions about this passage, and sharing with Him the things that were overwhelming me, He reminded me that I'm not insignificant. He reminded me that no problem is too small for Him to handle. He reminded me of Peter's first letter, where Peter says in Chapter 5 verses 6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast ALL your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

He cares for me. The God of the Universe cares for me. What a glorious thought. Not just a thought, but an absolute TRUTH. He cares for you, too. So, my prayer for you is that as you feel these times of anxiety, don't try to take it on yourself, but simply do what you know. Tap into the power of the Almighty! He has big shoulders that are waiting for every one of your burdens...big or small. What a mighty God we serve!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

A Simple Act of Obedience Can Affect Generations

Last Tuesday, I was sitting on the golf course with my friend Ginger. We were watching our 14 yr old sons take golf lessons together. We were also watching our 10 yr old daughters playing and laughing together. Ginger is one of those friends that really knows me. We met 20 years ago, and she has been a friend through good and bad, through my low points and my high points. She has loved me even when it was hard. She's one of those friends that really KNOWS you, and she LOVES you completely.

I was telling Ginger about my grandmother's illness, and some of the decisions she was facing. Ginger reminded me that it was my Granny that introduced us.

You see, Ginger was a Missionary Kid to Brazil. Back in the late '80s, Ginger's family was getting ready to come home to the US for furlough and were going to be staying in our church's Missions Residence. My grandmother knew they would be coming, and knew we were the same age, so she asked me to write Ginger. She felt God leading her to make this family feel welcome and encouraged me to do the same. I took that address, and wrote Ginger in Brazil.

Ginger and I ended up being great friends. I helped her find some community here, and she helped me to grow in my walk with Christ. For the past 20 years, she has been a friend and confidante. God blessed us both with children at the same time, so not only did we get to experience each others friendship, but our children have grown up together and are now doing life together. My grandmother's calling to missions and act of obedience in responding to this missionary family is now affecting its second generation through incredible friendship in the Lord.

This week is one of my favorites because it is the week where we are reminded another act of obedience affected 2000 yrs and counting worth of generations forward, not to mention all of those preceding it. For me, the most moving part of the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion is the prayer he prays in the garden. In that moment, the disciples have fallen asleep. Jesus is alone in the garden. He could have tucked tail and run from what was about to happen to him. He was fully human, so I don't believe he could foresee the events that were to come. But he also knew the Scripture and the prophecy, so I believe he had a pretty good idea of what it would take for the prophecy to be fulfilled. "He was despised and rejected...bruised for our transgressions...pierced for our iniquities." No way around that...it doesn't sound like a path anyone would want to take. So, he had every reason to bow out. But there in that garden, Jesus has that moment where he basically says, "Father, if there's any other way for this to be accomplished, then let this way pass from me. But, since it doesn't appear that there is, I love you and trust you enough to take the next step forward in accomplishing Your purpose." Talk about an act of obedience that has affected generations!

I love this week. It is a painful week as we walk through that last week in Jesus' life. It is painful as I reflect upon the initial sin of Adam and Eve that led to this means of God reconciling Himself to man. It's painful as I reflect upon my own sin that held Jesus to that cross. But it's a glorious week, as we witness how Jesus' life and death of obedience resulted in the Resurrection and hope for ALL of man -- past, present & future. As we move through this week, let's commit ourselves to be a little more obedient. Who knows when God might use one simple act of obedience to affect generations to come!