Do you realize how risky it is to be alive? The odds of a drunk driver forcing their way into your automotive world are higher than we would like to think. Michigan is now one of the states that can claim being a host to the swine flu. More and more people are taking up arms and busting their way into unsuspecting homes or businesses looking to score some jewelry so they can run it to "We Buy Gold" and solve all their problems.
We live on the edge of eternity trying to stay busy enough not to think about it, or healthy enough not to enter it. This morning I'm thinking through a few ways to enjoy the risk of this life and the inevitability of the next one.
1. Avoid panic. It seems our response to the negative news is to panic our way through the event. Panic is caused by an awareness of lack of control. The ironic thing is - we never had it. Something just reminded us that we didn't. Panic and joy can never have a picnic together.
2. Refuse the need to blame. We are spending so much time finger pointing as a nation and we are learning how to do it in the church too. Acknowledging responsibility and placing blame are two different things. Blame is not about justice or correction it is about revenge – we don't need that. The spirit of revenge is more contagious than the flu. Hold people (and yourself) accountable, don't plan to get even.
3. Never, ever, never, ever, not in a billion years exaggerate. It's interesting to me how frustration is a great host for exaggeration. "You always…." Exaggeration is like tightly wrapping the truth in saran wrap - it might still be there, but it can't breathe. Exaggeration suffocates the truth.
4. Remember this life is temporary. Don't get your socks in a bunch over what will be old news in two weeks, two months, two years, or even two decades. When frustration and fear claim a home in your spirit make them share the room with faith… they can't stand the music faith listens to, they'll leave.
5. Commit to living new life moment by moment. Sometimes we forget that this side of eternity is made up of moments. Fill the moments with awareness of God's presence and you'll treat your wife properly. Fill the moments with the truth of God's word and you'll rethink anger. Fill the moments with knowing the Spirit of God is there and compromise will seem less attractive.
6. Eat a piece of pie and take a walk. Simple pleasures and a slower pace would be a good idea for us. Please note that is different than eating a pie and sitting on the couch! I am not suggesting laziness - I'm saying force simple moments of pleasure in to the "risk" of life. Take a walk with God. Be thankful there is ice for your water. Enjoy the fact that the leaves are coming out. Lighten up!
7. Be sure God is both the center and peripheral of your world. Face the unknowns and the risks remembering you are a child of the King! God doesn't panic and the kingdom of God is not at risk. Take comfort in the fact that God is God and you aren't, your Dr. isn't, your Pastor isn't, the President isn't, a disease isn't, Wall Street isn't, and a dictator plotting terror isn't. God has not resigned.
I'm about to go for one of those walks,
Pastor Dave
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