Life has a way of being chaotic sometimes. Unexpected turns and bumps are common on our journey of life and how we respond to those challenges dramatically impacts our outlook and attitude.
For some reason I’m overly-optimistic in nearly any situation. I definitely have a glass-is-half-full kind of outlook. I can usually find the positive in a negative situation and almost always find the silver lining in the midst of chaos and confusion.
I was recently in my counselor’s chair [I'm a HUGE fan of counseling... best investment you can make in yourself!] and he asked me point blank why I’m so optimistic and positive.
I had to stop and think for a minute… was it just because I’m happy-go-lucky or was there indeed a deeper reason or source of my confidence? Was I just flippantly happy and positive or was there something that truly gave me that confidence?
As I thought about it the first words that came to mind were, “God knows…”
God knows.
In any circumstance or situation we face… God knows. In the face of adversity, pain, uncertainty, worry, doubt, anxiety or fear… God knows. When I don’t know… God knows. When the world and its wisdom can’t find the answer or the solution… God knows.
As believers we should all have that same confidence and joy in knowing that we serve a God who knows.
We serve a God who knows the beginning from the end, who has written the story of our lives on the pages of eternity and who cares so much about us that His thoughts about us are as innumerable as the grains of sand on the shore. He even knows the number of hairs we have [or don't have on our heads]. God knows… and He cares.
And when the future looks uncertain we can take faith in knowing He knows what’s ahead.
In the last few weeks I’ve had to face some challenging situations and life, as it does, threw me some curve balls… some unexpected setbacks, tough questions to answer, and challenging situations. And again, despite the circumstances and unknowns, I can have faith, take courage, and have joy in knowing that even though I don’t know… God knows.
Whatever situations you may be facing right now… whatever doubts you may have… whatever circumstances you may be facing with uncertainty… just take a deep breath, open your hearts and know that in the midst of it all that God knows… He loves you… and He cares. Whatever happens in our life doesn’t take God by surprise… He knows!
His solution and His will may not always be clear. The answers may or may not come. But I can tell you that looking back in my life I see a trail of God’s faithfulness following behind me and I know that while I may not understand what’s going on that God does. His plan and His will for our lives is perfect and by simply walking forward in obedience, being open to His Spirit’s leading, and committing every step of our journey to Him, we won’t stray from the path He’s chosen for us to follow.
So, as much as these are words of encouragement to myself right now, let me encourage you, too…
Just a couple of weeks ago I was in a drugstore looking for Carbury Mini Eggs, my favorite Easter candy, when a man shopping asked me when Easter was. I stopped for a second and realized I had no idea. This was the first time in 10 years that I wasn’t a part of the planning and production of an Easter weekend service, with the date seared in my memory.
It was an odd thing for me to consider… this was my first Easter in 10 that I wasn’t on staff at a church.
And let me tell you, I saw a lot in those 10 years.
Half of them were spent working with a, shall I say, more charismatic church where Easter meant a HUGE production which included live animals, dancers with banners and flags [yes, THOSE kinds of dancers], and some really well-intentioned but terrible dramas. There were many funny moments… like the time a light placed too close to the paper-machet tomb set the whole tomb on fire and brought Jesus and the angels running out of the tomb with billows of smoke behind them. Or there was the time when we were ascending the man playing Jesus at the conclusion of the production and the harness he was wearing slipped, went around his neck, and began choking him. He was OK, he just passed out for a minute. Then, in more recent years, we created a Ferngully-esque indoor park for children which included live birds… a few of which escaped and went flying throughout the church building.
All joking aside, though, some of the most incredible and fulfilling moments of ministry for me came from the transformational work God did in people’s lives on those Easter weekends. Seeing people come to Christ or re-engage with their faith made all of the toil, hard work, long nights, rehearsals, time spent designing and re-designing and everything else that goes into making Easter weekend completely worth it all. Knowing people’s lives were being changed, that hearts were being open to the Gospel and that eyes were seeing the beauty of cross was all that mattered.
Today would normally be the longest day of my life.
Good Friday in the church world means Easter services are just kicking off for the weekend or that you are in panic-mode, going crazy and prepping for Sunday.
Wherever you find yourself today… in last-minute meetings, putting final touches on the services set to launch later tonight, or working on the meticulous details for the weekend… just know it’s Friday, but Sunday is coming.
The sad thing is that for most church staff members the joy of Sunday isn’t the hope of the resurrection, the joy of knowing we have new life because we serve a Risen Savior… the joy is the relief that it’s all finally over.
I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
Yes, we should give our all to create moments for people to experience the hope of the Gospel, to celebrate the life we have in Christ, to see that out of darkness God has brought His glorious light… but that should never be at the expense of your own time of reflection and wonder at all Easter means and represents to us as followers of Christ.
The work you do matters. The moments you create matter. The time spent is worth it. The things you’ve created… images, words, videos, songs, dramas matter. The people who will come to your services, some for the first time, matter. But don’t forget in the process that you and your relationship with Christ matter, too.
The Lenten season and Easter remind us all of the painful price of our sins and the hope and joy we have as God freely gave us His love and forgiveness through the sacrifice, death, and resurrection of His Son. We have hope. We have life. We have victory.
In the middle of all you’re doing and all that’s ahead this weekend take a moment… even if you don’t think you can… and reflect. Remember what your life was like before Christ. Relive that moment when His grace and love captured your heart. Reflect on what Easter means for you. Recommit yourself and your life to the One who gave His life for you.
Don’t stress… remember God will work in spite of whatever may happen. Trust the details to Him. Give all you’ve got, but don’t try to do God’s work for Him. Remember that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Let His Spirit lead and guide your actions. Commit your labor and your efforts to God and let Him do the rest.
Let the joy of Sunday be the hope we have and the stories of the work God has done in the lives of people who will attend your services.
I’m excited to attend Good Friday and Easter services as a normal church attender. Does it seem weird? Kind of. It’s definitely a different experience and part of me misses the work and craziness that is Easter. The other side of me is thankful to have a break!
If you find yourself stressed and in the middle of all that is Easter week, be thankful. Be thankful for the role you get to play, not just this weekend, but in every moment in the life of your church. What you do matters both for life now here on earth and for eternity.
Keep your chin up… it may be Friday but Sunday is coming.
I can’t wait to see and hear about all of the incredible things does through all of your churches this weekend! I’m expectant and prayerful with all of you for God to do great things as you labor to tell people of the immense love of God who sent His only Son to be our Savior. Love wins because Jesus is alive.
I’ve been thinking about life a lot lately (for obvious reasons). And its amazed me to think about our lives, the time on earth we have, the work we do, and what it all means in the end.
Just think…
… of all the times in history to be alive, God chose us to be here now. The world is changing rapidly, we’re seeing and hearing about things we’ve never witnessed before and yet we have faith in knowing our God knew the end from the beginning.
… God uniquely created each one of us with gifts, talents, thoughts and ideas to bring His image to bear in our world. Whatever you do, whatever God has placed in your hand is meant to fulfill what God has placed in your heart.
… our world is chaotic, filled with despair hopelessness and yet we have peace in knowing our God is greater than all circumstances, troubles or fears. We’ve been called to bring light into darkness and to care for those who are in need.
… the hope the world offers can’t compare to the joy in knowing the Hope of the World. How can you not want to share that with others?
… Jesus prayed “let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” While we toil and we labor on earth, waiting with expectant hope for what’s to come, our job is to bring what’s up there down here.
… everyday matters and every moment counts. The work we all do, whether its inside of a church or out in the world, matters. What you do is important. What you bring to the world is significant. God is in you and is seen in all that you do.
… every person matters. You’re not as important as you think you are. None of us are. In God’s eyes we are all equal, we’re all His sons and daughters, equally loved and equally valued. Remember Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
… God is always doing something new. Honor the past and what God has done but have an open heart to His Spirit’s leading.
… life’s too short. Don’t spend idle time chasing what’s fleeting or trying to keep up with others, focus on what God is asking you to do and relentlessly go for it with all you’ve got.
… when it all is said and done, there’s only one that that truly matters. Did we give our best for Him?
… our life is but a vapor. Make yours count. Do work that matters. Follow the passion God placed in your heart. He’s given everything you need to do what He’s asked you to do. Be generous. Love extravagantly. Live passionately. Give everything you’ve got.
Just think… and ask yourself, “What is God asking me to do today?” GO FOR IT. There’s nothing holding you back but yourself. If God is for you, who can be against you?
