The Ride part 2
Stuff happens. Every day. And basically we have two choices: 1. We can judge by appearance. We can ride the emotional rollercoaster. Way up when things are "good" and way down when things are "bad." But I can tell you right now--and you probably already know--that's exhausting. Not to mix my metaphors or anything, but the other choice is to get off the crazy train. To, as Jesus suggested (commanded) judge righteous judgment. To see the bigger picture. To understand that it came to pass, not to stay. And that's where being content comes in real handy. Because worry is like a rocking chair--it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere. We can freak out and stress out about stuff, we can run around like chickens with our heads cut off... or we can rest in the loving arms of our heavenly Father. We can have faith in God. We can trust Daddy to take care of it. (Especially since we know it is finished and He already took care of it.) I guess what I'm trying to say today is: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NLT). And this ISN'T a doom and gloom Bible verse. This ISN'T a doom and gloom Jesus Rant. This is a, "every little thing's gonna be alright," Bible verse. A, "take heart," blessed assurance that no matter what happens... Daddy's got your back. Think about it. The book of Hebrews tells us that our high priest, Jesus, went through everything that we have to go through. And not only did He go through it... He overcame it! He lived the victorious, ascended life. And He gave that life to us. So that we could experience it, and enjoy it, as He lives His own abundant, everlasting, eternal, Resurrection Life in, and through, and as us! Take heart. Be of good cheer. Don't worry about it. Don't stress out because of what something looks like. Remember, it's all working together for the good. Remember, we are complete in Him. Hidden in Him, safe and sound. He overcame the world and that makes us overcomers. I don't want to get too far down this rabbit trail, but I said we ARE overcomers. We HAVE overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our (His AS our) testimony. We don't need to overcome. He already overcame. There's nothing LEFT to overcome. But when you judge by appearance you don't see it that way. You see mountains you need to climb. Guess what, friends: He brought every mountain low and every valley high. He made the Way straight. He did all the heavy lifting. The work is finished. We don't need to finish it. He overcame the world. We don't need to. He brought us out of the world and into the Kingdom. He put the Kingdom IN us. He put HIMSELF in us. And all He asked us to do is believe. All he asked us to do is trust Him. When we go our own way, struggling upstream, we generally make things worse. But when we get to a place of rest we can go with the flow. We can stop asking, "Are we there yet?" and just enjoy the ride. We can stop stressing out about things we can't do anything about in the first place, and we can cast on cares on Him. Why? Because He cares for us. Because He's got it. Because He already took care of it. So when stuff happens--and it will, every day--be encouraged. It's only "bad" if you judge it that way. It's working together for good. Daddy's got your back. He loves you. Every little thing is gonna be alright!