Sunday, March 13, 2011

Security Check

I just realized that it was time once again to change the batteries in the security system, smoke detectors, and test the system to reduce the risk of failure.  After completing the task, I turned the computer on, and immediately received a message that the computer may be at risk for security.  These potential security risks immediately made me think of life in general and how vulnerable we are today.
It is unbelievable as we reflect on the many catastrophic events happening around the world in recent years.  Still fresh in our minds is the destruction of the twin towers, global financial melt-down, natural disasters such as the BP oil spill, hurricanes of major proportion, flooding throughout the world and snowfall of record amounts, to earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, and now Japan.  These disasters cause us to ask, “Why?”  We may speculate about the reasons, however answers are just hard to find and even more difficult to understand.
As the world watched in real time the devastation of Japan this week with the earthquakes and then the tsunami, one cannot help but realize just how fragile life is.  Our hearts and prayers go out to all the suffering and loss the people are experiencing.  This should encourage us to be more thankful each day for the life we have.  We face potential security and personal risks constantly; we can take all kinds of precautionary measures to ensure our personal systems are working properly.  However, when we look at the larger picture, there are things of which we have no control.  It is then that we must realize, “The things beyond myself, I leave to God.”
Each of us has some degree of compassion for those going through personal disasters but often feel so helpless.  There are many ways to show people that we care.  I am reminded of a young girl that was late coming home for supper.  Her mother asked, “Where have you been?”  The girl replied, “My friend wrecked her bike and I was helping.”  “Helping?  You don’t know how to fix a bike!”     I know,” she stated.  “I was helping her cry.”  We must never give up on offering compassion, in whatever form one can give, because it encourages others to keep holding on.  You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.[1]
One may have feelings of insecurity and no clear vision of what to do next, but we can be sure that when we rest our insecurity in the security of God, everything will work for our good in the end because He is faithful.  One may be going through troublesome times, but one must always remember, tough times do not last forever.  There is a rainbow waiting in your future.  The darkest hour of the night is just before dawn.  Keep your head up high and stop looking down at the problems; look up to see the rainbow.  We do not have to carry these burdens alone.  The Scripture tells us, 1 Peter 5:6-7 “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.”  NLT “Is your security in the things that are of transient value or in God who is always present to help?











[1] Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Everyone has a Story!

I took the old Mustang to the town square today for a vintage car show. I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of these creations.  I think I enjoy listening to the stories behind these beauties as much as looking at the cars.  As I listened to some of the stories, I was reminded of buying an old Chevy years ago and as the new car was being replaced with the old one in the garage I heard a familiar voice say, “that’s a piece of junk.”  Of course the common response in return was, “you can’t look at what is now, but what it will be when it is finished.  This car has great potential.” 
If only these cars could talk about the restoration.  I believe the stories would parallel our life over time.  Some would say, “I had such potential when my journey began.  I was beautiful when I rolled off the assemble line.  Over time, I allowed the elements of the world to cause deterioration, and I was just set aside for junk.  Then one day a master craftsman saw me, looked beyond my faults, and saw what I could be.  That was a great day when he saw what I could be, bought me, and began the transformation.  I can tell you every imperfection that I had and still have because I still not perfect.  I just wish I could tell you a story of pride before being found but I cannot. However, now things are very different.  The owner is very proud of me now that I am finished.  He continues to make improvements and polishes me continuously as he shows off his work.  I am so glad he didn’t give up on me because I am once again something special in the master’s eyes.”
Each of us has a story.  That story is quite different with each of us.  Some have a story of one still in the show room condition; others, a story of how outside influences caused deterioration; perhaps others with a story of total devastation.  The key to each story is that it is never too late to yield our life to the Master Craftsman.  Our life may in a state of waiting in limbo, the beginning of the restoration project or it may be in the final stages of the restoration.  We must remember that no matter what stage we are in, the Owner is always proud of the original creation and wants to take us there again.  Each of us is a bundle of potentiality and even though we may be a work in progress, be proud of who you are and where you will be when the restoration is complete. 
Notice the words from Psalms 139:13-17 “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!  God, I'll never comprehend them!”