journey onWord with us

Last week my control issues came into full view. A good friend invited me to participate with him in a high performance driving school. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to drive high performance cars at fast speeds and sharp turns. With better planning I would have been the first driver in each session, but my friend took the driver’s first. You must understand that he likes fast speeds and sharp turns (with burning rubber). I had several white-knuckle moments and my theme song for the day was “Nearer My God to Thee”. In all honesty, it was a great experience, and I had a wonderful time. But my friend’s comfort with the power of the cars, and his fearless driving gave him the ability to challenge the course in ways I couldn’t.  He relished the power and I sought control.

The morning after my hair-raising experience, I was challenged to understand the power available to all believers. The apostle Paul was obviously concerned that the believers at Ephesus didn’t have a full understanding of the power of God in their lives. In a marvelous prayer for them, Paul mentions the greatness of the power available to us.

Ephesians 1:19-20
…and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

Understanding the power available to us in Christ helps dispel the fear and doubt that clamor to control us. It is my opinion that believers in Christ live with a small view of God’s power on a personal level. Sure, it’s easy to marvel at His creation power and the power to make us a new creation in Him, but far different to live expecting His power to work in and through us. Think about the fact that you never need to ask Christ for more power. You and I have all of His power we could ever need or want, our problem is applying that marvelous power to our daily walk. It is no secret that those who live trusting His power seem to regularly see answers to prayer, and live with far greater confidence and joy.

If you and I are not careful, saying the words, “incomparably great power for us who believe,” become wonderful words with little meaning. At this moment, are you enjoying the great power available to you, or just struggling through the Christian life in your own strength? You may feel that you are battling between trusting His power and seeking to control your own journey. We all experience that battle. But I would like to believe that in my journey and yours, we are growing in understanding, and applying that power that is ours more and more. Why would we want to live any differently?

Now back to my high performance driving experience. My friend and I drove the same cars. He went faster, and made sharper turns. What caused me to fear, gave him great exhilaration. We both had a great time, but at a different level.  I struggled with controlling the car, and he enjoyed all its power. Because I had to be in control, I never really released the car to see the limits of its power. My friend got closer to really seeing the fullness of the each car’s power.  I hope you can see my point: understanding and applying His power is the only way to drive.

Drive well for Christ!

Being defined by what you do … It is so easy for others to do this to us, but it’s also something we can do to ourselves.  In our responsibility or drive to achieve and provide, we become inextricably associated with the “work of our hands”.  I come from the context of corporate America, but I am sure that you can confirm from other areas of vocation that work consumes an increasing measure of our time and attention.  The trend is upward, and I am not sure I see any break in that trend anytime soon.  These “truths” are at the root of a discontent I have struggled with for some time.

Recently, a brother-more-than-friend spontaneously bought me a book.  The book was Let Your Life Speak, by Palmer Parker, and it landed squarely in the lap of my growing discontent.  It immediately began to speak to me, and helped me begin to create a gap between what I do and who I am.  Early in the book I was introduced to a word I used a few sentences ago … vocation.  It’s a word that I thought I knew, but have since discovered otherwise.  It’s a word that I associated with “work” or “profession”, but I have come to learn these associations are only the foliage on the tree, not its trunk or roots.  Maybe you already knew this, but the word “vocation” actually has its roots in the Christian faith.  Bullets three and four in the word’s Dictionary.com definition say, “a divine call to God’s service or to the Christian life.” and “a function or station in life to which one is called by God.”  The word vocation comes from the Latin word for “calling”.

I could go on for several more pages with what I have learned about the word, but suffice it to say that our modern vernacular has drawn the definition away from its roots.  Unless I am the exception, our modern understanding of the word is more consistent with the first two bullets in it’s Dictionary.com definition: “a particular occupation, business, or profession; calling.” and “a strong impulse or inclination to follow a particular activity or career.”   I find myself saddened at my ignorance of the word’s true meaning, but buoyed by the hope that this new discovery could bring to my life.  Back to the book … I found a particular quote of Parker’s challenging and encouraging.  On page 25 he writes…

Vocation at its deepest level is, “This is something I can’t not do, for reasons I’m unable to explain to anyone else and don’t fully understand myself but that are nonetheless compelling.”

I found an echo of the vocation journey I have been on in the early portion of today’s daily Scripture reading.  Reading in The Message this morning, I arrived at the words of Ephesians 1:11…

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.

“Amen, Paul!”, cries my spirit.  While at the same time it is convicted of the truth that being defined by what I do is something I have slowly but surely done to myself.

When I began to read Let Your Life Speak, I began a small journal and titled it, “Journey to my sacred self.”  And over the weeks that have followed, I have recorded and doodled some revealing truths about the real me, and who I believe God made and gifted me to be.  I wouldn’t assume to suggest that you follow my same path, but I do encourage any of you who are struggling in a similar way, to sit a while with the words of Ephesians 1:11 and let them echo in your heart and mind.   We are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image, and it is only in and through Him that we find “who we are“.  And it is only in the process of finding our true self that our life begins to pour out in streams of “what we are living for.”  In this we find our true self, our sacred self, our vocation.

Every year our world is confronted with major challenges. Just this year we have watched Japan ravaged by an earthquake and tsunami, and America overwhelmed as tornadoes swept through states like Missouri, Alabama and Tennessee. We have seen revolutionary uprisings in countries like Libya and Egypt. America has been fighting over our debt, received a downgrade to our credit rating and is still fighting with high unemployment. And just this weekend, a hurricane created havoc on the east coast of the United States. Just as new challenges come every year to our country and world, each year brings its own set of challenges personally. Our Creator is up to date on all our world challenges for this year, and He is also in tune with the challenges we face personally.

It is not God’s control, but our lack of confidence as we face challenges that create an unsettled spirit. As a child, I learned the words of a song that were easy to believe. In growing older, I never forgot these words. When I read the simple words, I am reminded that God is not limited by my challenges. He is in control!

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable;
Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?
God specializes in things tho’t impossible;
He does things others cannot do.

excerpt from Got Any Rivers, Oscar C. Eliason, copyright 1945

You, no doubt, have some uncrossable rivers before you right now, and so do I. There may even be some mountains of difficulty staring you right in the face. When we are not firm and steadfast in our view of God’s power, impossibilities look … well, impossible. The old song says that God specializes in things that are “tho’t impossible”. Can we believe it, or are those words just wishful thinking? Experience has taught me that those who pray earnestly with confident faith, see God do “things others cannot do”. You and I have no challenges bigger than God’s ability.

Jeremiah the prophet affirmed our assertion in Jeremiah 32:17 with the words, “Ah Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” These words are not wishful thinking, they are absolute truth, and we can trust Him with all of our challenges. Our problems are not impossible to Him, and he desires an invitation into the midst of them.

Each year will bring new earthquakes, tornadoes, revolutions, hurricanes and economic struggles. And we will always face new challenges personally. I am sure you believe God is in control of our world, but can you believe in Him for your river crossings and mountain passes? Your impossible challenges are never too hard for Him.  Believe it!

Every week tends to have a series of ebb and flows. We can all look back and clearly see the blessings and trials that made up each day. If not careful however, the trials that seem to linger will weigh us down. Sure, we are thankful for the blessings, but they seem to fade into the distance while our trials grow clearer by the moment. In the last three days, I have talked to three strong Christ-followers who are showing weariness from the journey. These three friends have all spent time in corporate ministry being paid to help others. It helped me to focus on the truth that trials come to all, we all need perspective, and we all need each other.

Reading the phrase, “so that we despaired even of life” would get anyone’s attention. Obviously a situation so dire that would cause a person to mouth such words is worth examining. Paul, in describing the hardships he endured in the province of Asia wrote these words to the church at Corinth. He also used the words, “…under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure…” (2 Cor. 1:8b) to describe a bleak situation. Most of us probably haven’t experienced the depth of his difficulties, but we all have had our own “under great pressure” moments. And quite frankly, there have been times where we all wondered, “can I get through this?”

Paul’s perspective on his hardships has great meaning, and is wrought with wisdom. “…But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9). Isn’t that what we should be doing all the time anyway? You, my three friends and I will live from one trial to another.  Only in truly relying on our Lord will there be sufficient energy to endure well. And don’t forget, He raises the dead! A full reading of the first chapter of II Corinthians relays a confidence that can be ours. Paul had no doubt that God who had delivered them from deadly peril would continue to do so. How is your confidence about your trials and your tomorrows?

There is more to our trial story. Namely, that we need each other. I doubt anyone would debate that point, but how do we need each other? Look at what Paul told the Corinthians. “…On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers…” (2 Cor. 1:10b, 11a). Paul wanted them to know that their prayers would play a part in deliverance. I don’t know about you, but the words in bold have escaped my attention when reading this passage, maybe a hundred times. Paul made it crystal clear that he needed their help, in the form of their prayers. As you see others walking through trials, they need your help … your prayer help. Paul looked for the supernatural provision of God to come through prayer. So should we!

We may not feel like our prayer time will have that much effect on another’s situation. But we need to leave the results to God, and simply pray. Others need us…in prayer. Just as my three preacher friends need me to pray for them…someone needs your prayer time. And we all need to learn the lesson Paul conveys; to rely (truly rely) on God.

Trials will beset all of us; God can be trusted, and prayer really does work!

My roots are distinctively Southern. I grew up loving grits, sweet tea, fried chicken and my momma’s biscuits, made from scratch. My roots also run deep in conservative Christianity. I accepted Christ as my Savior at a young age, and that has shaped every part of my life. And for as long as I can remember, church has played a huge role.  So much, that whatever our church felt was important became the standard for me. I was “all in” on the rules of the Christian experience. I grew up in full view of the prohibitions of walking with God. No movies, alcohol, gambling or mixed bathing (girls and guys swimming together), were some of the rules that were a part of my spiritual roots. As I look back on those days now, I appreciate the training, but have softened on some of the legalistic viewpoints I once held.

Looking at 21^st century Christian living, I am now concerned that liberty has overtaken legalism. We certainly have freedom in Christ. However, there doesn’t seem to be much that distinguishes those who profess Christ from those who aren’t Christ-followers. So where do we find the balance needed to live free in Christ, while at the same time honoring our faith by being set apart to Him? It’s a given that all believers should work at growing in their faith and standing true to Biblical truth. Our struggles come most often with the gray areas that confront us on a daily basis. One person may be free to drink wine and go to movies, while another feels that they should refrain from both. Who’s right? My goal isn’t to answer that question, but to give you thoughts on how you can.

The Corinthian church was not challenged by movies, or some of our other modern issues.  But make no mistake, they faced great challenge with the issues of their day. What about eating meat that had been first offered to idols? Corinthian Christians obviously didn’t believe in idols, so if they ate meat that had been offered to idols were they involving themselves in paganism? Eating meat or not eating it wasn’t the issue, but look at their quandary.

I Corinthians 8:7-10 (NIV1984)
But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?

Do you see how the conflict they had with meat offered to idols mirrors the struggle believers in Christ have with gray issues not explicitly prohibited in Scripture? Although my conscience may give me freedom, Scripture challenges me to take care that the exercise of that freedom doesn’t cause a brother to stumble. Paul’s inspired conclusion is found in verse thirteen of that same chapter…

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

From my perspective, here is the balance between my freedom and the spiritual care I have for others. My liberty should always be subjected to my love for others. If my freedom may cause another to stumble, out of love for them, I must refrain. And then trust God for my joy!

We all have to make our own choices. But our choices should always be tied to our love for the Savior, and those we are called to be in relationship with and minister to. When love overrides liberty…. the Father is pleased!  I still love grits, fried chicken and good movies. And you may have freedom in other areas, but we all have the responsibility to let (His) love guide us.

Last week I focused a good bit on living in the moment, and even spoke to some teachers about the concept. It sure is easy to communicate living each moment to the fullest and not worrying about all that could happen tomorrow. Reality, however (for me at least) is that tomorrow’s issues can cloud today, and often moments throughout my day distract me from the spiritual concepts I so easily promote. Right after sharing about living in the moment, I headed for an airport. On the way I stopped for gas, and couldn’t get the fuel tank opened on my rental car. My patience was stretched to say the least. Then after checking in at the airport and getting to the security checkpoint, I realized that the reservation clerk had kept my driver’s license. So back I go to the ticket counter … living in the moment. I absolutely know that my moments and yours are under the watchful eye of our all-knowing God. But I have found (as I’m sure you have) that our thoughts often run contrary to the will of our all-knowing God.

“Living in the moment” sounds like good Christian speak, but are not words that most Christ followers would use to describe themselves.  But why not? After all, we live under the authority of our all-knowing God, who loves us, cares for us and desires our best. You may have already started listing your excuses, at least mentally. “Of course, I would like to live in the moment, but ___________”. Like you, I can easily list my “why not’s,” but I am convinced that those in my life deserve me living in the moment. Follow Christ on a journey through the New Testament and you will find that He very much lived in the moment, and on purpose. You and I may have passed by the woman at the well, decided not to wash the disciples feet, and we almost certainly would have sent the 5000 on their way. But in those moments, He loved in special ways. With Christ as our model, living in the moment should be a high priority.

One of the reasons that we miss the moments and live with too much stress, anxiety and fear of the future is our flawed and fallen thinking. In my reading this week, I have been challenged to “renew my mind.” The verse that closes 1 Corinthians 2 grabbed my attention as I read, “… But we have the mind of Christ.” (speaking of believers). Our struggle isn’t in knowing these principles but in taking “… captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5b). God our Father knows everything about our journey, and understands all the reasons we use for not living in the moment. But He has given us the capacity to bring every thought into obedience and He wants to renew our minds. But is that the way we really want to live?

I believe the answer for most believers is “yes”. But I also feel there is a huge disconnect between what most Christians believe, and how they live. And without a willingness to stop making excuses and renew our minds, stress, anxiety and fear will distract us all from living in the moment. The internal change needs to come from growing and meditating on the Word, and yielding each day to His authority. If you are struggling to enjoy the moments, you are probably not enjoying the Word or your relationship with Christ very much. Why not today?

I have not arrived, but I am slowing down. When I miss a meaningful moment, it’s gone but I am becoming more aware of it. Those in my life need my faith to work, not tomorrow, but in the moment. Who needs your faith to work? Renew your mind!

Beginning a new week is like starting a new journey. You have a desired direction, but not complete confidence in how you will arrive at your “end of week” destination. Take last week for example. Did it look the same in the rear view mirror, as you would have imagined on Monday? There were probably some twists and turns that were not envisioned. The problem with weekly detours is that they tend to derail us emotionally and spiritually.  Monday’s energy can quickly evaporate without a firm conviction to live with daily purpose, seeking His wisdom. Scripture gives solid counsel about our commitment and His desire to strengthen us.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

II Chronicles 16:9(a)
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

In principle, men and women of faith have security in these verses. But there is often a great disconnect between our view of the verses, and how we apply them. Each new week gives the opportunity for commitment to the Father’s purpose. In reading the words from Proverbs 16:3 “and your plans will succeed,” it has become apparent to me that the success the Father blesses me with, may be different from what I had desired. But based on the fact that I know His, “eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him,” daily detours aren’t as daunting. Our biggest issue is not what will happen this week, but how will we respond.

If your purpose this week is to make God and His wisdom a priority, you can be assured of His commitment, and confident in your plans. And even if there are daily detours, your confidence will be in His sovereign control. Choose to believe that this week can be lived in the reality of His blessing and His desire for you to succeed. Two friends from Scripture confirm the reality of trusting our Lord.

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning
I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

I Chronicles 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would
bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be
with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be
free from pain.” And God granted his request.

David sought the Lord in the morning with an expectant heart.  And Jabez came to God with simple requests … and God granted his request. It is my conclusion that a heart like David’s, and praying like Jabez, just might be what you are looking for as you tackle the stress of each new week. Expect the detours, plan to succeed and be committed to the Father’s will. Then…..simply enjoy each day!

I must admit – I read bumper stickers.  Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I blush, but I read bumper stickers.  Have you ever seen the one that says, “To err is human, to forgive is divine … neither is a Marine Corps policy”?  Or how about the one that states, “I don’t get mad, I get even!”?  Unfortunately, this viewpoint seems to be more and more prevalent in today’s society. But recently I have been studying one amazing exception to this rule … the life of Joseph.

I have one more cliché to use before we get down to business. Remember the Tammy Wynette song, “I Beg Your Pardon, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden?”  Well, that pretty much sums up the life of Joseph.  It began with his brother’s hatred for him because he was the obvious favorite of their father, Jacob.  At first they plotted his murder, but when the opportunity presented itself, they instead sold him as a slave to a caravan going to Egypt. Joseph was 17 years old! Once there, he was sold to a man named Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard.  It seemed that Joseph’s story had taken a turn for the better and was headed for a happy ending, as Potiphar developed such trust in him that he placed him in charge of his entire household. Then the boss’ wife turned her attention toward Joseph, and he ended up being falsely accused and thrown in prison. No, not just prison, but a dungeon.

Genesis 40:15 
I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.

“…I have done nothing to deserve (this)…”  He’s right!  Joseph had been a faithful son and brother. He had run Potiphar’s household with organization and honesty.  If you remember the story, he was then forgotten by the cupbearer when Joseph played a part in his restoration to the royal court … for 2 full years!  Joseph did nothing to deserve all these terrible things that happened to him.  He must have suffered emotional pain; he was alone in a strange land, no way to contact his father and tell him where he was, and no one coming to rescue him.  Imagine the fear and despair. 

Now, I bet you are all thinking that today’s application is going to be about forgiveness.  Well, sort of, but let’s take it way beyond that!

By today’s human standards, Joseph should be bitter, depressed and vengeful.  No one could dispute that he was a victim.  When he finally comes face to face with the brothers that caused all of his pain, this is what he says to them:

Genesis 50:19 
But Joseph said to them, Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…

I told you he was an amazing individual.  He was telling his brothers that everything that happened to him was the way God wanted it to happen.  Every decision, every event, every twist and turn was God’s plan for his life … and theirs!  Wow!  Try to wrap your brain around that for a minute.  How does one get to the point where they can say that … and actually believe it?  Joseph chose to live a life free of bitterness, and in communion with his Father.  Take a second look at this remarkable man sometime … it’s just not all about the Technicolor coat!

All of us, without a doubt walk through life with strong viewpoints. One of the areas where this is especially true is in viewing others. Think about it, you have opinions on everybody in your world. And one of our struggles is that once we settle on an impression of an individual, it usually sticks. How we view someone determines how we relate to them, how much we trust them, and whether we really enjoy being around them. And once the view of a person is cemented in our mind, it usually doesn’t change. Can a leopard change its spots? In our humanity, we’ve learned this “truth” from experience.  But is that truth absolute? Is it God’s truth?  As these questions play themselves out in your life of faith, are there people who you have mentally determined will never have a life-changing encounter with Christ?

I can remember it like it was yesterday. A young associate of mine shared that his dad was having heart issues. I responded with the obligatory, “I will pray for him”, and received stunning words in return. He said, “I’m an agnostic.”  So began our discussions about faith and salvation. Eventually, my friend came to a place of decision and was changed – eternally. On a long distance call just the other day, he relayed to me that he was being considered as a deacon at his church. It has been almost nine years since he made the agnostic remark, and his life, family, church and business have all been affected by his turn to Christ. God is in the life changing business, and He is not limited by our view that someone will never come to Christ. Don’t kid yourself; you and I struggle with mental viewpoints about certain non-believers. I certainly would not have put my agnostic friend high on the ready to accept Christ list. But he did!

Saul (Paul) would have been viewed as anything but a candidate to be a follower of Jesus. He was ruthless with his opposition to the church, and had no qualms about persecuting Christians. That was until the Road to Damascus. His life was forever changed when he was confronted and converted by Jesus. What Paul accomplished for Christ is well chronicled in Scripture. The way God used him literally expanded the gospel message throughout the world. But I doubt that many Christians of his generation would have put him high on the candidate for salvation list. God was not limited then, nor is He now, to our narrow views about a person’s salvation readiness.

My thoughts are that you may have someone in your life that has yet to receive Christ as Savior. You may have already developed the viewpoint that they are not interested, and probably will never accept His life-changing message. I struggle with the same misplaced notions about people in my life. But then I am reminded of my friend and the Apostle Paul. God loves all of us, and is not willing that any should perish. So why should we have such limited views about what He can do? Imagine what it would be like if that someone(s) in your life came to Christ? Are you willing to change your view and pray daily for their salvation?

Now back to my friend the agnostic. After he came to Christ, his wife (who I had never met) told me that she had been praying for nine years that her husband would accept Christ. I am sure glad she didn’t give up. I don’t know if Stephen or other believers were praying for Paul before his conversion, but in my heart I believe somebody was. I don’t know who you care about, but I know they deserve your prayers. And remember, God loves them, you can pray for them and they just might become used of God in a mighty way.

Today was one of those days that barely gave us a ray of sunshine. And I must admit that there is something about the sun that brightens my mood. I do understand that if the only weather patterns were sunshine all the time, there would be serious problems. When I relate my spiritual journey to sunshine and clouds, my emotions prefer sunshine all the time. And if you are honest, you probably feel the same way. Although we know better, it seems that subconsciously we tend to say, “If I am serving and obeying Christ,” life will be sunshine all the time. When the difficulties of life give us a pattern of rain and stormy weather, the expectations turn quickly to questioning and disillusionment about our journey. A strong believer once said to me during a stormy period, “faith is great after the fact.”

Figuratively, I was drawn to this thought while reading about Peter and some disciples going fishing after Christ was resurrected. Things were different now, their lives had forever changed. I don’t know, but I wonder if life seemed a bit cloudy to them at that point? You have heard the story of the men fishing and catching nothing. From the shore Jesus spoke to them and told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They caught 153 fish and met Jesus on shore for breakfast. Then there is the great encounter where Christ restores Peter. You have heard the words from this scene often, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” At the end of this exchange, Peter is given an indication of how he would die, and then Jesus tells him, “Follow me.” The whole series of events just described are anything but sunshine all the time, nor should they be.

There are various opinions on why Peter and the disciples went fishing, and what Jesus meant by questioning Peter’s love. But the fact is: Christ showed up at a critical point for Peter and the others. And although He will never choose to let us live with endless spiritual sunshine, He will show up for us whatever the weather, just as He did for Peter and the disciples. If you and I are serious about faith and serving Him, we will relish clouds and rain knowing that a Perfect Hand is directing our journey. And we never have to worry about Him showing up at just the right time (His right time, not ours).

As I was thinking on this passage and Christ showing up, I was reminded of a song that my wife has fallen in love with. It expresses the realistic view that the spiritual journey is not sunshine all the time. It carries more weight with me because of the life struggle that songwriter Laura Story and her husband experienced with his illness. Look at the depth and realistic view that Laura gives us with a few words from her song, Blessings.

chorus…

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

 the song’s ending…

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?

Peter, Laura, you and I will never live under an endless sun-lit sky. God chooses the rain and the storms. And although our emotions cry for sunshine, we know that rain and storms are a necessary part of our journey. Christ showed up for Peter, and He knows when to show up for you. Determine to rest in His mercy whether the sun shines bright, or storms threaten. The Son knows when to shine His mercy into your life!