A crazy week of peace

Next week is our summer kids' program, traditionally one of the craziest times of my year. We've been preparing, announcing, planning and dreaming up crazy big things that will only be pulled off by the grace of God! We are excited!

Strangely, this Saturday beforehand, I find myself calm and meditating on the goodness and faithfulness of God. This is a huge personal victory for me.

If you are a "Type A" personality, like me, you can relate. There are some people who are just naturally peaceful and at ease. I am not one of those people. In fact, when I come across one of those people, I sometimes want to slap them (but I don't).

My normal bent, especially 2 days before a large event kickoff, is to be wrought up, anxious, and "in control"…or at least trying to be. But lately I have been discovering (finally) the amazing freedom that comes from being out of control. Here is the self-talk that leads me to this amazing mountaintop of victory: it's not my ministry/event/(insert your thing here) anyway. It's God's.

Every detail is never going to be perfect. Every person is never going to do what I think they should do. (Thank God.) My mission is not and never was to control every detail. My primary purpose is to exalt the person of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate and live out his goodness, mercy and love in such a way that others are drawn to Him. 


When I get the order right, the peace comes. 

"Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Now I better get back to work! ;-)

Issues. We all got 'em.

Some call it "pushing their buttons." For others it's "a sensitive subject." If you're tuned in to counseling buzzwords it's most likely baggage or, let's say it, issues.

One person may have "rejection issues" while another has "control issues." And while a lot of women have terrible self-esteem because they are overweight, I have actually talked to several gals who were self-conscious about being too thin!


Whatever you call it, it's certain you've got one (or perhaps, more realistically, a few.) I know I do. And yet I find it strangely comforting that every single person I meet, no matter how well adjusted, sharp, successful and, yes, beautiful, has at least one area that they are insecure about. I know that may sound almost sadistic that I take comfort in that fact, but hear me out. It's not that I'm rejoicing at their pain, but rather that I find it to be a sort of camaraderie.


From the very beginning one of the tactics of the enemy of our soul (aka Satan) has been isolation. It's the tactic you see every predator use. Make your victim feel helpless and alone and they will be taken down much more easily. Isn't that what happens? The thought comes, "nobody understands you" or "if anyone knew what you're really like..." Whatever lie it takes to bring isolation and separation and then, BAM! He's got you.


But the truth is, you're NEVER alone. In the Bible we read, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience." (1 Cor. 10:13, New Living Translation) Now we can read that and think, "Well, okay, but that's talking about sin. What about my insecurities?" What are insecurities really, except believing someone or something else more than we believe God. Wouldn't that be sin? Tricky devil.


The goal of these "issues" or insecurities is to keep you focused on your weaknesses - keeping you self-conscious - so that you won't notice the amazing greatness of God at work within and around you and become God-conscious. While we hate our weakness and even try to hide it from others, God says, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9, NLT)


So whatever your "issues," take heart. We're all in this together and here's the good news:

"...I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6 NLT

Maybe along the way, we should extend a little grace for each other's issues. We'll most likely need a little in return.  :-)

Tunnels of Transition

It has occurred to me that life transition is like a tunnel. It can be a dark place, and when you first step into it, what is behind you is much easier to see than what lies ahead. Keep moving.

As you move forward, it actually gets darker. Let your eyes adjust, though and you will see things you couldn’t make out before. You will likely find it’s not nearly as scary as you thought it was. Keep moving.

As you move through the tunnel the light coming from the other end begins to grow and is actually now clearer and easier to make out than the light behind you. Keep moving.

As you emerge into the light you find yourself in new surroundings beholding things you couldn’t possibly have seen from the other side. You find yourself once again standing in the full light of day, with the sun warming your face, able to move in any direction you please.

The tunnel of transition can at once be thrilling and terrifying but it is in fact the ONLY way to arrive at your intended destination. Don’t fear it; embrace it. As you take that first step into the darkness you can do so with the knowledge that no matter how long this tunnel may be, and no matter what snakes or spiders may be waiting in the darkness, you will emerge on the other side to a bright new day…if you don’t stall in the tunnel. So goes the journey. Keep moving.