journey onWord with us

Sometimes when we read passages of Scripture there is a fresh emphasis on principles we had already known, but in that moment strike a nerve. Paul’s radical conversion to Christ and his outstanding witness for Christ have been re-emphasized to me this week in the latter chapters of the book of Acts. Today, Christ-followers need to be intentional about our witness. The world needs a Savior.

Without a doubt, there is someone in your life who needs to make a commitment to Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior. There is also no doubt that Jesus is the only Way to the Father, and an eternity in heaven. But we all struggle with doubt, wondering if that particular person in need of Christ will ever take the ultimate step of faith. We don’t doubt God’s love, or His ability to change a life, we just wonder about that special and specific person…

Seventeen years ago, one of my work associates was anything but a Christian. It would have been easy to doubt even the hope of that future reality. But in an amazing way, God changed his life.  And I often tell him, one thing you can’t deny is “the testimony of a changed life.” He has been transformed from a worldly and self-centered man, to one who possesses a passionate faith and who is a selfless giver. Was he ever too far gone?! … Not for God!!

On an ugly day of persecution, a great follower of Christ was martyred. His name was Stephen. But there was also a man directly involved in his persecution that we all have come to admire and acknowledge as a hero of the faith. Acts 8:1 says, “And Saul was there giving approval to his death.”  This is the same Saul who was converted on the Damascus road and became known as the Apostle Paul. Wait a minute! But he was a persecutor of the church of God! Knowing me (and you), if I had lived then and known Saul, I would have doubted that this man would ever be converted, much less become a voice for Christ … the voice that God specifically chose to carry the gospel beyond the borders of His chosen people.  Most would have thought Saul was too far gone … but not God!

I would guess that every person reading this post has sung the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace” countless times. But if we had known the author of its words early in his life, there is no doubt we would have doubted he would become a man of faith. John Newton was a ruthless slave trader and captained his own ship. During a violent storm at sea, he had “a great deliverance.” His life was remarkably changed and generations have benefited from that change. Note the first verse of Amazing Grace.

Amazing Grace! (How sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

John Newton knew grace and knew that God had “sav’d a wretch like me.” Even though we don’t doubt God’s ability, would we have wondered about this man Newton? I am thankful that God stretched out His arms of grace, and inspired this man to forever touch the world.

So … who do you love that needs the Lord? Have you ever doubted if they would trust the Savior? The personal story of my friend, the biblical account of Paul, and the historical tale of John Newton are evidence of God’s radical and incredible life-changing love. He gave His best, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for all of us, and all our sins. The truth is, we are all sinners — wretches if you would — and are only changed by faith in Christ.

So today, if you know Him, give thanks that “you were blind, but now you see.” And don’t doubt that those you love can have their eyes opened too. Pray with faith for that special person, and don’t doubt. I trust and pray that one day, you will smile when that person who was “once lost, is now found.”

Two weeks ago, at this very moment, I was anticipating an assignment that was to be mine over the next week and a half.  In looking back at that adventuresome journey, I can honestly say my best laid plans were completely interrupted and changed. Life can be that way.

It started with a simple cold that landed in my throat. Having no voice is aggravation enough, but having to give a speech to over one hundred people on an important topic was worse. After having travelled to give the speech, and using every over the counter remedy available (plus apple cider vinegar), I made it through the lecture and was off to rest, then to another work location. Monday and Tuesday of last week were also important (as I needed to see several people), but by then the cold had travelled to my EYE. As I spoke to people, they would have been wise to close their eyes. My eye was ugly!  By Tuesday, I gave up and visited a minute clinic and was treated for bacterial pink eye. It was all in a week’s work, and then I came home … and everything cleared up. What an assignment!

My illustration is trivial compared to the real purpose and life assignments that we are given. My reading in Acts this morning brought that home in a powerful way. The Apostle Paul knew his life assignment and lived up to it, even with difficulties that make me feel ashamed for pouting about mine. Notice the words of Acts 20:22-24.

And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering (lay) ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Paul wanted to finish the work assigned to him by the Lord Jesus. What was that work? As noted above, it was—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. There was no question in his mind about what God had called him to do, and Paul wanted to complete his assignment. His journey would lead to great difficulty; jail and suffering would be his lot, as the Holy Spirit had informed him. I wonder what most of us would do if the thought of jail and suffering were part of the equation for following Christ.

Most of us work hard, serve Christ and, in some way, look for recognition and success from our efforts. For Paul, what he put into life (finishing his assignment) far overshadowed the personal recognition and benefits. Most of us (if any) will ever suffer in serving our Lord as Paul did, but isn’t it also the assignment for all Christ-followers to be witnesses to the grace of God and the life changing power of His Gospel?

I am concerned for you and for me that in the course of daily living we lose the intentionality of telling others the Good news about the wonderful grace of God.  In the early years of my faith journey, I was taught well to share my faith, but it seems that the emphasis of living well in front of others has caused the Christian world to be less forthright about our faith and what Christ has done in our lives. If you haven’t shared your faith with someone in a while, I think you know what I mean. We don’t have to stand on street corners or go door to door, but there is ample opportunity before us each week to share the Good News.

My interrupted assignment was minor. Paul’s assignment was a mission, and I believe every Christ-follower has a part to play in that mission by sharing the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

He was arguably the greatest earthly king in Israel’s history, into whose bloodline the King of Kings was born.  He was a shepherd boy, a literal giant-killer, a poet and a songwriter.  This was David.  On the surface, it would appear there is no more unlikely Bible character with whom I can identify.  My life looks nothing like his (well, hold on now, maybe not so fast).  For as much as God accomplished in and through his life, David was also a thief, adulterer and murderer.  How could this be so?!  This is a question I so often ask of myself.

There can be little argument about the best compliment ever paid to David.  It came directly from the mouth of God and was recorded in Acts 13:22…

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

Could there be any higher honor than to have God himself call you a man or woman after His own heart?  The context for this statement is David being installed by God as the king who would succeed Israel’s first king, Saul.  David had been on the run from Saul and repeatedly rejected opportunities to take his rightful place on the throne by the force of his own hands.  He could have insisted on his own timing and taken Saul’s life on several occasions, but David insisted on this being in God’s time and by God’s hand.  This was resolve worth emulating.  This was unparalleled submission and strength of character.

And then David went and messed it all up…

In a series of events, which represent one of the most epic train wrecks of all time, David lusted after and then took for his own, another man’s wife.  He then called that man home from battle and set in motion a diabolical plan to cover up his own sin.  David writes a letter to the forward commander and says, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” 2 Samuel 11:15 (ESV)  As David wished, Uriah would soon die, and his wife would eventually bare King David a son.

Seems perfectly clear now, how i could suggest that David’s life looked nothing like my own.  How in the world could i ever suggest that his story sounds even remotely like my own?!  The answer is quite simple.  A mess is a mess is a mess.  David is no more or less a child of God than i am (or you are), and he is no more or less a sinner.  God chose him for a unique purpose, and He has chosen us as well.  David made disastrous decisions; decisions which he, no doubt, thought would define the remainder of his life.  I have also locked myself in prisons of my own making for sins which I was convinced could never be fully forgiven, only to experience God’s scandalous and limitless grace and forgiveness.  David’s story is also mine.

I wonder if you feel the same.  I wonder if those “prisons” I just mentioned sound awfully familiar to you.  Who, or what, is your Bathsheba?

There is consequence for sin, but God is also merciful and gracious.  Our lives in Him are not defined by what we do (whether for His glory or our own).  But, rather, by what He does in and though us.  Cease striving to be who you think you should be and choose, instead, to be who God created you to be.  Genuinely repent, and then accept God’s full and unconditional forgiveness.

i do not desire to be David, but i do desire for God to say of me, that i am a man after His own heart.

I think it’s a safe assumption that everyone reading this article is facing some faith adventures today. It could be a health journey, a job scenario, maybe a financial mountain or just an everyday “Will I trust Him?” moment.  God in His wisdom uses these “refiners” to help us learn (and re-learn) dependence. As you read the next few paragraphs, let your mind travel back to a stormy day in the life of Christ and His disciples. Faith will rise to the forefront, and we can certainly relate to the dilemma.

Our context is found in Mark 4:35-41. After a day of teaching, Christ gives His disciples an adventure in trusting Him. He informs the group they’ll be heading across the Sea of Galilee. He is leading them INTO the storm! Sometimes storms result from our disobedience. But at other times, the Father’s design is to send us headlong into troubled waters … yet, never without an anchor.

Scripture tells us it was a furious squall — so intense that the waves broke over the boat. The disciples were seriously concerned about drowning. Can you believe that Jesus was sleeping while all that was going on?! You may not mouth words like those of the disciples — “Teacher, don’t you care that we drown?” — but you (and I) have had similar thoughts. They had waves, and we have our “storms.” As you view today’s faith adventure, are you looking with eyes of faith or do you have that drowning feeling? Christ’s rebuke of the storm and His disciples is instructive, even today.

With the commands, “Quiet! Be still!” Christ calmed the wind. The Creator of the Universe was in control of nature. It is amazing to me that Christ-followers accept His control over our eternal destiny, yet we struggle with the daily storms. If you are anything like me, you have met some stormy days with strong faith, but in many others, sinking seemed inevitable. We should never doubt that He is in control. Preparation for the rough waters will determine how we respond when the storms come. Are you letting Him prepare you?

Christ also had strong words for his disciples after calming the storm. “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Jesus asks.  His rebuke gives us a strong indication that they were not responding with faith to His teaching and miracles.

You may not be facing a storm today, but are there squalls?  We all have an opportunity — even this very day — to respond with faith in the midst of our storms. I am often rebuked that even after so many wonderful faith builders, I still get that drowning feeling. But today is new, God is still in control, and you and I can choose to view our personal storms with eyes of faith. It’s your choice!

Although the temperatures in my neck of the woods would suggest Spring, the calendar says we are still weeks removed from the season when we will celebrate Resurrection … He is Risen!  i wonder if reading of it earlier this week made your heart swell with expectancy like it did mine.

Jesus stands before Pilate and declares His kingdom is not of this world.  He shows Himself to the disciples after Resurrection and responds with deep humility and grace to Thomas’ “Unless I see…”  As day breaks, an unidentified voice calls out from the shore and suggests to His fishermen disciples they cast their nets on the other side of the boat.  In the moment after He promises the Spirit and gives His inner circle the great call to go, Jesus literally vanishes into thin air.

Sight is such a central theme to the breath of time Jesus walked among us.  Whether He was restoring it, challenging it, defying it, questioning it, or disappearing from it, the issue of sight was a principal part of the story of Jesus.  He is never recorded as saying it, but Jesus’ entire life shouts “open your eyes!”  Open them to truly see who He was and is.  Open them to truly see the deep Truth in His simple stories.  Open them to truly see the need right in front of you and in the farther off fields of harvest.  Open them to truly see each step of your unique path, which is lit for you by the Word literally breathed from the mouth of the great I Am.

i’ve had two distinct experiences recently, which spoke profoundly to the truths of Sight.  The first was a meaningful drive through a lofty sliver of southeastern West Virginia, while returning my firstborn to college.  As we turned eastward south of Beckley and began the measured descent in the direction of Lewisburg, we were plunged into a dense, all-consuming fog.  My instinct (and my wife’s countenance) shouted “slow down!”  i could not see an inch past where my headlights met the wall of low cloud, and yet i pressed on without hesitation.  With each increment of forward movement, i felt compelled to make a decision.  Each time my foot answered with stillness or throttle.  How could i possibly keep my thumb from cancelling cruise?  How could i possibly choose gas over break?  What kept my pace steady when a wall of white obscured everything from my view?

In the minutes and miles of blindness, i wrestled with the truths of sight.  i considered how the fog illustrated times of uncertainty, aimlessness, or suffering in my life – – those times when the way forward was varying degrees of cloudy to completely obscured.  i challenged myself to trust God — to go full speed forward until He prompted me concerning the dangers or obstructions i could not see.  i “saw” in the “darkness.”  i celebrated each time we broke into a clear patch and returned to prayer when we drove into the settled clouds once again.

Last week, i was walking the return leg of my weekly trip to the mailbox to mail a letter to my son at college.  As I turned the familiar corner and began walking the longest uninterrupted stretch of sidewalk of my trek, i wondered internally how well i knew it.  Did i remember where the uneven transitions were between sidewalk sections, the specific tree or two whose branches must be weaker by age or by species, the less manicured lawns that encroach on the full walking width?  i wondered how long i could walk, if i closed my eyes to test the remembrance, without either tripping up or wandering off onto the grass.  i took one last long look, closed my eyes, and began to stride forward.  That was, until after ten or so steps, i realized the potentially fatal consequences of my little test in my observation that people backing out of driveways in our general neighborhood were less careful than they really should be.

As i opened my eyes and continued on, i thought longer and deeper about the truth of sight.  And how silly it seemed to choose to close my eyes.  Was this the best test of knowing?  God has blessed me with sight.  How foolish is it to not engage that sense fully?  There are some who are not able, and who possess heightened acuity of their other senses because of it.  They can “see” things that i may not or cannot.

As i walked on, i did so with a renewed sense of gratitude and resolve.  God’s design for this world did not include blindness … in our humanity or in our walking and talking with Him.  How precious it is to have been given sight … twice.  The first time, as He formed me in my mother’s womb.  The second, when, as a child, my heart believed in what Jesus did for me in dying and rising – He is Risen!   Open my eyes, Lord, i want to see Jesus.  Open my eyes, Lord, i want to see real need.  Open my eyes, Lord, i want to see the tricks and “treats” my enemy hopes to keep hidden from my notice.  May i never choose to blind myself to any of those things.

Clear sight is a gift from God, and trusting him in the fog is a choice i make with each step and each mile of the journey He has chosen for me.  Open my eyes, Lord.  And in the times where the road ahead is obscured with uncertainty or suffering, lead me and go with me.  I trust in You.

Honesty would profess that I struggle with frustration over the mistakes and failures that seem to follow me. That’s a fancy way of saying, “I can’t believe that I do some really dumb things.” But I do and, admit it or not, so do you. A good example would be what I did recently. For my wife’s birthday, I sent her to Nashville to see our daughter. In making the reservations, I inadvertently typed March 9th instead of February 9th.  That little mistake (failure) cost $180! Before laughing, consider that you have probably made a few mistakes (failures) of your own — but since you don’t write articles, the world doesn’t know!  Seriously, our minds tend to focus on our failures and weaknesses while forgetting the good things God accomplishes through us.

Each one of our lives is littered with moments we wish we could take back.  God understands those moments, and meets us with open arms when we come to Him with our failures. In choosing to focus on regret, we miss the moments of boundless grace so freely offered by our Father.

In our reading last week in the book of John, Peter and Philip had some less than stellar moments. God is gracious in letting us see some of the failures of His disciples. As you read the words of Brennan Manning in, The Ragamuffin Gospel, embrace your weakness and focus on the beauty of His love for us.  In prayer one morning, Manning heard a word from the Lord:

Little brother, I witnessed a Peter who claimed that he did not know me, a James who wanted power in return for service to the kingdom, a Philip who failed to see the Father in Me, and scores of disciples who were convinced I was finished at Calvary. The New Testament has many examples of men and women who started out well and then faltered along the way. Yet on Easter night I appeared to Peter. James is not remembered for his ambition but for the sacrifice of his life for me. Philip did see the Father in Me when I pointed the way, and the disciples who despaired had enough courage to recognize Me when we broke bread at the end of the road to Emmaus. My point, little brother, is this: I expect more failure from you than you expect from yourself.

It’s only Monday, and you and I will fail this week — of that, we can be certain!  Be even more certain of the truth that the Father will not stop loving you.  Choose this week to run the risk of failure with a fully devoted heart.  Listen to the words from the chorus of a hymn I remember first hearing as a child … “Only one life, so soon it will pass, only what’s done for Christ will last”.  With eyes that are open to others, there will be opportunities for you to bless and serve this week.  If we spend too much time focused on our own agenda (selfishness), or failures, the “what’s done for Christ” may never happen.

So as we begin another week, let’s embrace our weaknesses, risk failure (remember He already knows we will fail), and be a conduit of the grace He so lavishly gives to us.  Those in our lives need us to live this way.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am
content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and calamities.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II Corinthians 12:10

Embrace weakness, accept grace and forget regret!

Nothing went right this week at the office.  We had a power outage over the weekend where half the building had power and half had none.  So by Monday morning:

• The copier was acting in a very unusual way
• It was 30 degrees outside and our air conditioning was blowing full force
• Our computers were going to complete blackness – but only when we were on the phone with a client! Lots of frustration and growls in the office!  We have unplugged, rebooted, pleaded and begged with all the electronics, but to no avail – one co-worker simply threw her hands up and said, “I’m going home!”

Have you been in similar situations?  Of course you have.

There was anything but ‘peace’ in the workplace this week, but my example is a very simplistic one compared to the world we live in currently.  There is turmoil everywhere you look.  Mike and I used to be news junkies, but we both are finding it difficult to watch now because everyone is angry or outright fighting.  Everywhere we look there is confusion and discord. So how do we find and cling to ‘peace’ in the times in which we live?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8

If we can keep our thoughts firmly planted in God’s principles, we can guard and protect ourselves from the chaos around us.  And in doing so, we can travel to a place of peace:

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

I don’t like drama.  I don’t like discord.  I like peace.  But lately I have struggled with drama and discord everywhere I look.  I needed to return to one of my favorite books in the Bible (such good, practical advice) to find refreshment in my longing for peace.  To put it simply, I cannot control this world (or even the copy machine in our office!), but I can control my thoughts and what I allow my mind to dwell upon.

God is in control.  Always and forever. Praise Him!

Trust.

That singular word has been a sacred echo in my “right now” for quite some time.  i don’t remember where or when it began, but lately most of what i talk about or wrestle with sources back to trust.  i have learned how easily i say the word, but how little i sometimes mean it.  i am quick to speak it to another as counsel, yet how slowly i sometimes follow in praying it on their behalf.

i make this personal, but can you hear yourself in my admission?  i say i trust God, but what do i mean in saying it?  Because what too often follows in thoughts, words and actions is not trust (and sometimes doesn’t even remotely resemble it!).  The dictionary speaks of reliance and confidence in defining trust.  i would, again, be quick to say that i have both in my relationship with God.  But as i continue to hear the sacred echoes, i feel the Spirit driving me deeper in questioning, observing and understanding what exactly that means in my life.

The epic action of John chapter two (Jesus’ first miracle and His cleansing of the temple) is punctuated by three verses that, on casual reading, might seem a bit odd or disconnected — but not for me.  For me, it was another sacred echo of the challenge and Truth of trust.

… many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.  But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them
John 2:23b, 24a

During this particular trip to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration, Scripture says many believed in Jesus.  Yet, what John is saying in the final verses of chapter two is Jesus held back in sharing the deeper truths of Himself.  He stopped short.  He did not trust that Truth to those who professed to believe.  Why?  What was it about these new believers that would cause Jesus to stop short of sharing Himself fully?

Perhaps you remember a recent post where we encouraged you to not trust the outcome, but the God of the outcome.  i believe this to be the first of two likely answers to what is at issue here.  Although many people believed, what did they believe in?  It seems clear from the text that Jesus discerned they believed in the miracles not the Messiah.  They believed in the man, but not fully in who that Man said He was.  This would prove prophetic, as many of the people who “believed” during that particular Passover celebration would be shouting “Crucify!” at the tail end of a future one.

In my studies of this short passage, it was also suggested that these new believers may have been too young in their faith, causing Jesus to withhold the “solid food” (Hebrews 5:13-14) that was the full Truth of himself.   Whether it was for a reason of misplaced belief or a milk diet, it would be easy to judge these believers; easy to encase that word (believer) in quotes in describing them.  Almost as easy (i have observed) as it is for me to say that i trust God (hmmm … sort of stings when i put it that way).

In navigating my journey of observing and growing in Trust, i have not set my sights on perfection.  For i know my sin nature will find me trusting, at least partly, in the miracles and outcomes.  The three verses which punctuate John chapter two have given me a new perspective on where to set my sights.  May i trust in a way that causes Jesus to entrust Himself to me.  Knowing that i will fail, but also knowing that i believe — not in the miracles or outcomes, but in the God of those miracles and outcomes.

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem.  He has precious few steps left before He will walk the cross road and willingly offer His life as a ransom for ours.  He has restored the sight of blind Bartimeus and there is one more eye appointment he must keep before leaving Jericho.

News of Jesus’ visit must have circulated around town and quite certainly reached the ears of a vertically challenged tax collector.  I get the impression from reading Scripture, Zacchaeus was more than just passively curious about Jesus.  There is no back story to confirm it, but the lengths to which Zacchaeus goes to get a glimpse of Jesus suggests he is seeking something more than just a face to put with a name.  Zacchaeus’ physical eyesight may be keen and clear, but it’s obvious he is seeking healing for an altogether different kind of blindness.  He has had it all his life.  He was born with it, and the riches he’s accumulated as a tax collector cannot buy a cure.

In reading the story backwards (with his actions and intentions in full view), I found it interesting that this man who climbed a sycamore tree takes a posture quite kindred to the beggar who Jesus met on his way into town.   Zacchaeus’ confession and promises to Jesus do not suggest the hardened heart you would expect from a tax collector.  The power and wealth of his position have not caused him to scoff or hide, when the news of Jesus’ visit finds him.  He walks out into the light.  He seeks a spot from which to see the Great Healer.  And although he does not cry out to him, as the blind beggar did, he presents himself plainly to His Savior.

“So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.” (Luke 19:6 – ESV)  This was Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus.  He was seeking, and he had been found.  The darkness which Jesus removed from the eyes of the blind beggar was now being removed from the eyes of Zacchaeus’ heart.  Where the blind beggar rose up and followed Jesus, Zacchaeus’ half portion was the evidence of his healing.  He would sell half of all he had and give it to the poor.  He promised four-fold reparations for any he had defrauded — paid in full from his remaining half.  This is 20/20 kingdom vision.

This is no tall tale.  It is a beautiful biography on blindness — never beyond the notice or power of the Great Healer.  As you continue reading the story of Jesus this week, I pray that your “knowing” is deepened and your eyes are further opened.  And for the one who has not yet believed, I pray you will climb the tree.  For the Savior is passing by and wants nothing more than to come to your house today … and stay.

By the time anyone reads this article, Super Bowl Fifty-One will be over. The non-stop pregame build up, the overrated commercials, and a game that may or may not have lived up to its billing is in the books. And most of us are regretting the amount of unhealthy food we ate. In honor of this once-a-year event, let me share a Patriot story from just a few years back.

The story comes from the newly released book by Tim Tebow, entitled Shaken. Most sports fans can remember the magical story of Tim Tebow leading the Denver Broncos to the playoffs in the 2011 season. His life was scrutinized beyond belief. His faith was on center stage, and God used Tebow’s testimony. But then he was traded to the New York Jets, and later released. Eventually, the journey took him to the New England Patriots in June of 2013. His book is clear about his respect for the Patriots. After signing with the team, a one-day endorsement opportunity came Tebow’s way for a million dollars. One Million dollars!!!  Being a team guy, he asked the coach’s opinion. Coach Belichick thought about it and said, “Timmy, I would really appreciate it if you didn’t.”

Two months later on August 31^st, Tim Tebow was released. Have you ever had that feeling of disappointment when after trying to honor others, and your Lord, everything seemed to fall apart. My first thought would have been, “Lord, I gave up a million dollars and got cut?!” But God’s design is more about His glory than our comfort or prosperity. Tim Tebow was obviously shaken, but quickly regained his spiritual bearings.  “I prayed, my words weaving between questions and faith, doubt and surety. ‘God, I don’t know what’s happening, and I don’t have a clue what You are doing, but I believe You have me here for a reason. I believe You’ve got a plan. I know this is not the end of my story. I may not be ecstatic about what You have in mind, but I’m in this with You. Whatever happens, I’m in.’” (from Shaken)

Tim’s comments remind me of the counsel in Hudson Taylor’s words. “I know that He tries me only to increase my faith, and that is all in love. Well, if He is glorified, I am content.” Hudson Taylor, Tim Tebow, and all of us will at times be faced with detours to our plans. God has the final say in how our race should be run, and although there will be shaken moments for all of us, joy comes from trusting His design.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT)

The detours that you and I have taken probably haven’t involved turning down a million dollars, only to then lose our job. But we have been shaken nonetheless. Tebow’s resulting response (quoted above) gives us the pattern for success in Christ. “God, I may not understand it, but I’m in.” But more importantly, when we are detoured and shaken, all Christ-followers can trust that Psalm 37:23-24 applies to us. He directs our steps! And that is better than any Super Bowl win!

PS: I was for the Falcons…