stevenrealife

As I was riding my bike up the Cedar Valley Nature Trail this morning, I was thinking about how I so often expend energy trying to bring man sized solutions to God sized situations. In other words, I try to fix things that only God can resolve. So as I pulled in next to the old feed store in Lafayette, Iowa, I sat at the bench and concluded that I was doing a good thing today. I was out getting some exercise and enjoying the grandeur of God’s creation. Working more, strategizing more efficiently, thinking proactively just won’t solve things that only God can fix. So I decided to rest and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of being outside! “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent (Col 1:17-18; ESV).

Periodically I think about these headstones in a little cemetery in Tamworth, New Hampshire. They date back to the late 1700’s, but words are no longer legible. Someone buried bodies here, but the names are no longer known. Someone died. Years ago, one of our elders here at Faith Bible Church, one I consider to be a mentor, shared Colossians 3:1-3 with me: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (NASB). Positionally in Christ, at the moment I believed in Jesus Christ, I died. The “me”, the “I” positionally is dead. But so often, “me” becomes way too important. So I find myself continually reminding myself: “For you have died”! When I feel disrespected or unappreciated, it is so easy to become angry or bitter or hurt. Those are the times I need to remember the Tamworth cemetery. I need to live out my position in Christ. The “me” isn’t important. The “me” died. Christ in me is all that matters.

Early this morning, about 3:30 AM, I was in a hotel room with one of my boys in Rochester, MN waiting for an 8:00 AM consult with his doctor at Mayo Clinic to hear the results of the previous day’s test. The words of this Gaither song (“Peace, Be Still”) came in the night: “He says, ‘Peace! peace be still!’ Lifts His hands, ‘Peace!, be still!’ Like a child, my heart obeys Him; when He says, ‘Peace!, be still!'”

My thoughts went to Mark 4:35-39 when Jesus was with His disciples in the storm. His disciples yelled out to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38, ESV). Mark 4:39 says, “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (ESV). The results were not those for which we had hoped. But today I am saying to myself, “Peace! peace be still!”

This afternoon, I was listening to a podcast when this statement was made: Music brings head and heart together. As soon as I heard that, I was immediately drawn to our services this morning at Faith Bible Church. I was deeply moved by the ministry of our Worship Pastor, Brian Hill. Before observing the Lord’s Table together, Brian asked us to close our eyes as he sang the Paul Baloche song, “Your Blood Ran Down.” The lyrics were so vivid I was picturing Jesus’ blood running down for my sin, thinking about what it must have been like for those who loved Him to watch the gruesome reality of the cross. I was close to tears as that song drew my head and heart together, thinking about the reality of my sin sending Jesus to the cross. “From your head, down your face, from your hands, to your feet, your blood ran down for me” (Paul Baloche, 2013). 1 John 4:10, “This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (NLT).

Periodically, I experience a melancholy day. Mine started last night and has continued into today. I’m not always sure why! There isn’t anything specific about which I am worried. The sun is shining outside.  It isn’t seasonal affective disorder (SAD). I’m just down. It’s a “I’m on a deserted road on a rainy day” sort of feeling. I spent time meditating on Galatians 5 this morning, reading through the passage several times. I’ve been in prayer. I’m not cognizant of unconfessed sin. It is just a melancholy day. On days like this, I like to remind myself of this truth: my feelings don’t change who God is! Lam. 3:21-23 says, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (NASB).

Wouldn’t it be nice if, when we face a complex issue, we could just look for discernible markers from God to show us the right path! This summer when I hiked a bit of the Appalachian Trail you could look for a sign or a marker like the white paint mark on a tree (like the one over my shoulder in this pic!). God doesn’t work that way. It isn’t that He leaves us without direction. Rather, He promises to give us wisdom and direct our steps as we depend on Him. As a pastor, I often deal with complex situations where a clear answer is not always readily apparent, those kind of situations that can keep you from sleeping. Where is the mark on the tree?! I shouldn’t look for it. God’s word assures us. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (ESV). Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (ESV). So we pray, expressing our dependence on Him. And we trust, stepping forward as we depend on Him.

Yesterday afternoon a man entered our office complex and asked my admin to see a pastor. He introduced himself, stated that he was driving by, and had some questions. He began by telling me that around ten years ago he placed his trust in Christ and ever since then life has been really hard.  He lived in a community over an hour away. He attends an evangelical church and has a pastor to whom he can talk. Why is he here in my office? As he continued to lay out his journey and all of the pain he and his wife have been experiencing, I started to think about Job in the Old Testament. He began to tell his story, and I started to think that for whatever reason he and I were supposed to be talking. Then I was startled to hear his story intertwine with the extended family of some good friends of mine. Unbeknownst to him, I knew the people to whom he was referring. We prayed together, and he left. Reflecting on his story, I was struck with the reality that his life is hard, a lot harder than mine. This stranger pointed me to the Lord and reminded me of the One in whom my trust must rest. This guy just walked in off the street, but he had a divine appointment. I needed to hear his story. Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them” (NASB).

Running scenarios in my head robs me of my joy! What if this happens or this or this? Over the years I have slowly been learning that the only thing I accomplish by running scenarios is to rob myself of joy! I have to preach to myself and stop the scenarios. And then I have to pray and thank the Lord for His sovereign plan for me, my wife, and the lives of our children. 1 Samuel 30:6 says, “Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (NASB).

Barb and I like to slip away on little overnight vacations periodically. It is good for us to take a break from our chaotic schedules and just enjoy being together. Problem: you can’t take a break from the Holy Spirit. Some of my worst days of spiritual failure are my days off and vacation days: an uncontrolled tongue, worry, etc. I need the Holy Spirit’s filling (His control) every day, especially on vacation. Lord, please fill me with your Holy Spirit today. Replicate Jesus’ life in me. I need you.