Things just don't always turn out as you imagine...and that's probably a good thing. This pic is of the 22-foot lifeboat named the James Caird that Earnest Shackelton sailed 800 milies in after losing his ship, Endurance, to the ice. This is not what they had in mind when they set sail I'm certain.Church planting is never what you imagine either. It's like that with most things though - marriage, parenting, the new job, owning a home...
While we have not endured what Shackleton and his team endured, we have been exhausted, faced heartache in times of loss, confusion over plans that failed, the discouragement that comes when someone gives up or gets afraid and runs away...the James Caird is not where I like to end up. And yet, on the other hand, if they had not endured what they had, would we know their story - would we hear of the leadership, teamwork and courage that is possible? Would we know the glory?
We celebrate the risen Christ this weekend after reflecting on what He endured for the sake of the Kingdom and eternity. Short sightedness played no part in the life of Jesus. Fear and disappointment did not deter the mission of Christ.
A friend of ours, Tom Nebel, says this about faith, "People of faith never allow vision to shrink to the level of reality."
So, if we have to make the big, beautiful, sturdy ENDURANCE into a 22-foot reconfigured lifeboat, the JAMES CAIRD is o.k. by me. -really.
GO GOD!
If you would like to spend some more time on the topic of fear and faith...here is a message by Dr. Tom Nebel, one of our teaching pastors at Northview. (click here)
1 comment:
much of what we expect is not the better option for us anyway. ... perpetually disappointed - only if even once we have reached our destination we still want things our way... now, overwhelmed and exhausted - another thing. I heard someone today say "when we get to our wits end, that's where God lives"
yes, that's not the way we want it.... mary and martha would have liked to have their brother back before having to go through burial rituals... but they saw the glory of God. I don't think they were complaining after that show of power. but then there are other stories that come to mind of people who did experience power and immediately became depressed - even suicidal. I have been the complainer many times and i have to admit, it's not pretty.
It's God's love, power, and forgiveness that we want evidenced in our lives and for those around us - God just doesn't always reveal that to us - or transform us - in the way we choose. but then, He's God and He is good. thanks for entering into the coversation with us! this is something we all are going to wrestle with every day - i'm returning from a retreat today and beside having a monster of a headache i am fully encouraged.
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