A Season of Stink....

So anyone who knows me and my wife knows that when it rains it defintely pours. For us, things don't just happen a little bit at a time - things happen BIG and they happen all at once. I'm not the type of person who believes in luck but I once heard a saying that goes "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all." I see a lot of truth to that - but then there's always sunshine at the end of it and maybe a rainbow or two.

I am of the school of thought that believes life is what you make of it. Not to sound cliche, but if the world hands you lemons - make some lemonade! That's sort of my philosophy. I firmly believe that life is a continuous cycle of seasons. The Bible says "to everything there is a season." Therefore, I've pretty much got it narrowed down to four distinctly different seasons - much like that of the worldy climate (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer): a season of blessing, a season of rejoicing, a season of preparation, and a season of storms. Hey, three out of four ain't bad! If you think about this it might actually make sense to you.

The season of blessing is a time of reflection on what God has done for you, where He has you, where He's brought you from, and how You've gotten there. The season of rejoicing is the realization that, regardless of what has happened in the past or what will happen in the future, everything has been and will be alright - you are taken care of, provided for, you are appreciated, affirmed in your life's calling, and are ready to enter into preparation for your next adventure - which leads us to our next season. The season of preparation is just what it sounds like - preparation. This is a season that is uncomfortable for some because, like me, it's a bit difficult to tell you are in it. Take me for example. One day everything is going great - I'm loving life. And then, all of a sudden, there is this distinct feeling of discomfort - like my direction is being shifted. At first, there is much resistance, and rightly so - no one in their right mind would want to feel out from under the loving atmosphere of appreciation and affrimation. But, nonetheless, this is a season where God is moving me toward a different direction. It's exciting and frightening all at the same time. It's not until I realize that this shift in my innermost being means there is a really BIG change coming. Now, it's not always a significant change - but it's a change. Most people don't care much for change and that makes it difficult. This is where the season of storms comes into play.

To be completely honest, I'm not sure the word "storms" characterizes this season enough. It should be called a season of "stink." The only reason I chose that word is because most people get offended if you use stronger language to describe the feeling I get when I am in this season. It stinks when you're in it. But - it is truly a time of learning, a time of refinement, purifying. It's not always fun - it's not what I would describe as a good time. It hurts a little and is extremely trying at times. However, it's where I need to be in order to grow.

That's the season my wife and I are currently in. Which is not a bad thing. But, when it rains it pours in my family and the stormy season can sometimes last for a while. The good thing, on the other hand, is that somewhere there's always a rainbow. From the Bible, we know that the rainbow was a sign to Noah that the flood was over and a promise from God that He would not devestate the earth in that way again. Will we be refined in the same way again - I don't know!
All I know is that my wife wrecked her vehicle, our washing machine broke, we found termites, my son has a belly-ache, my car stereo broke, I turned thirty, and there are some BIG changes and some scary changes happening in our lives at the moment that we are uncertain of. This is some stressful stuff. But, it's comforting knowing that we are simply in a season of stink right now and that there is a fresh and beautiful season of blessing to follow!

Bug-Dodgin'

Last night, as I was driving home from practice, my son posed a question I seriously had to stop and think carefully about before answering. At first, I admit, I was chomping at the bit for a witty comeback that would no doubt illicit laughter as a response from my sons' four-year-old body. That's my whole goal in life is to make my son laugh - he has the very best laugh in the world. But, the longer I thought about it, the more I thought I needed to choose my words carefully and try to maintain at least a little bit of seriousness in my answer.

Anyone with children or around children on a frequent basis knows they can ask some of the funniest questions. Some questions are silly, some are fairly complex, and some are genuinely seeking solid information that could perhaps change the way these children view the world. But, then you get a question where there are so many answers to and each answer is different depending on the situation - a circumstantial question.

So, it's well after 9:00pm and dark - the sound of something like rain hitting the windshield (actually it was bugs - yuck - we have to drive through some farmland to get home) and he asked me, "Daddy, why are the bugs hitting us?" I said, "They're not really hitting us as much as we are hitting them - I don't think they mean to hit us - we're just driving at a speed faster than they can fly." So, he said, "Can we slow down?"

Now, for a normal person in a normal situation, this may not be that profound. But, in my opinion normalcy is a relative concept. See, if normal happens where normal is supposed to happen - of course that's normal. But, if normal happens where weird is supposed to happen - then normal actually becomes weird. So, this was weird for me. How do you explain to a four-year-old that bugs aren't near as important as my getting home to watch my pre-recorded "So You Think You Can Dance" show? How do you explain the fact that bugs are just bugs and that in the realm of existence they rank about the bottom of the food chain? But, the biggest impact his question had on me was the fact that he was so concerned for the bugs - I couldn't bring myself to crush his little heart. So I slowed down.

My son is the very best thing to ever happen to me. He has shown me how to slow down and just live - enjoying stupid little things like bugs. He's shown me how to really laugh. He's shown me how to really love. I thank God for him everyday and pray that God will make me the father Eli needs for me to be.

So, the rest of the drive home we spent "Bug-dodgin'." We turned the brights on and swerved everytime we saw a fatty come straight for us. Sometimes we missed them and sometimes we hit them - but I explained that "You can't win 'em all, son." I think he understood and we had a great time the rest of the way home.

Much to avail...

James 5:16 says that we should confess our sins to each other and pray for each other; that we may be healed. It goes on to say that "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." I started thinking about that whole phrase.....about healing through prayer....about how intense prayer can work wonders. I've always known that prayer is extremely powerful. I've seen it - lived it - been a recipient and part of the prayer-chain. But I still get convicted by James' last line - the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much - wow!

Webster's dictionary defines fervent as "exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling." Webster's also defines effectual as "producing or able to produce a desired effect."

Righteousness.....does it really even need a definition? Righteousness is the very essence of God! Is it even attainable for humans? Obviously it is if James is encouraging us to be righteous. But, man, the intensity of that word! Holy cow! Could I become a righteous man? I think it all boils down to priorities. Are my priorities that of God's? What are my priorities? Have I set my mind on the things of God? I mean, isn't that what it means to be righteous?

As I sit here and think about myself, really analyzing myself, I do not consider myself a righteous man. I want to be! No doubt about it! I want to be righteous. Like I said in a previous post, I want to be a man after God's own heart, like David. That's probably why I feel convicted. I am always aware of my priorities versus that of God's and I have no problem, whatsoever, casting myself aside to take His task on. Therefore, I feel, in my spirit, that I am focused on the will of the Father, even when I don't even know it. But, I don't see myself as righteous.

Righteousness means to be free from guilt and sin, to be like-minded with Jesus, to will and act according to the Word of God. I am free of guilt, but not so much sin. Sure, there were times (and still are to some extent) that I was plagued by guilt and shame. But, once I realized the power over and the freedom from bondage we as believers have been given, it's easier for me to realize that I am not a slave to it. For sin, on the other hand, who is free from sin? Perhaps that's the reason the Bible says that "there is none righteous, no not one." Which leads me to believe that righteousness is something we should strive for - somewhat like perfection. Some believe perfection is unattainable - John Wesley, founder of Methodism, believed you could reach perfection in your thought-life, thus becoming like-minded with Christ.

The whole concept is mind-boggling, but fascinating all at the same time. It's really pretty intense. Will I ever be perfect - of course not. But, I can train myself to think according to Scripture. Anyone can. It doesn't take a Biblical scholar or priest - an average, everyday Joe can be taught to live a life of righteousness. It's about my will versus His will.

Thoughts?