If You Have Two Minutes

If you have two minutes to spare, this is worth a watch.

Busted Van and Bank Account

Terri called me yesterday, very upset. The power steering in the mini-van went out, and we took it to the shop to get fixed. I expected to have to pay a few hundred bucks for a pump or belt replacement. They replaced the pump and realized that the rack and pinion system (don't ask me) was bad. If we didn't fix that, the new pump they had put in would be ruined in a matter of months. The grand total...$1100.

Contrary to the jetsetting image I tend to portray, we do not sleep on a mattress stuffed with hundred dollar bills. With our emergency fund completely drained and beyond, we are feeling the pressure of being seriously broke. But you know, it's not a big deal...

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear."
Hebrews 13:5-6

I've always thought the "I'll never leave you or forsake you," verse was pretty cool; a remarkable promise from God that he is always with us and will never leave us on our own. It takes on a whole new meaning when read in its actual context. God is always with us, but this verse is talking specifically about money. When it comes to money and our needs, God will never abandon us. If we serve God, we don't need to have any fear that we will be okay, no matter how broke we may be. God will never fail to meet our needs. He promised it. And a promise from God is something you can really take to the bank.

Have a Bad Week for Easter

It has simply been a terrible week. Without going into detail, I can tell you that if I had the ability to go back in time like Doc Brown and warn myself about the week I was about to face, I would tell myself to dig a hole, crawl in and wait it out. At least I would have until God, as usual, spoke to me out of his word. I have been studying the book of Hebrews lately, and at the pinnacle of awfulness that was the last several days I ended up in Hebrews chapter 12.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Hebrews 12:1-4

Starting a holiday weekend after experiencing a terrible week seemed at first like a raw deal, but going into Good Friday at the bottom of the barrel was exactly where God wanted me. Of all the things in this life that have the potential to grind me down bit by bit, the pains, humiliations and hurts I must suffer, nothing could ever compare to the suffering that Jesus endured on my behalf. All of the hard and unfair words that are thrown my way combined could never add up to the derision that Jesus faced for me. None of the powerlessness that I feel in the face of overwhelming circumstances could ever measure up to the powerlessness Jesus must have felt at the hands of those he freely handed himself over to, those who tortured him, shamed him and took his life. But Jesus faced it knowing that God's purpose for his life was being fulfilled, that through him we could have life.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave...
Philippians 2:5-7

He gave up his divine right to not suffer. He voluntarily let go of his privilege as God to never have to be subservient to anyone and became a slave. He entered into his suffering with both eyes wide open to offer us a way into a perfect relationship with God.

Going into Easter weekend on the back of a terrible week is, for me, perfectly appropriate. To remember Christ's suffering while in the midst of my own, completely aware that mine is no measure of his, is a stark reminder of just how much he went through for his love of me. For his love of you.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Hebrews 12:12-13

May my suffering make me more perfect even as his suffering has. May the trials we face bring us closer to the cross, step by step, even as the path he walked did the same. May we celebrate the perfect gift of his suffering, and remember it best by enduring it just as he did. When we do, we become like him. When we do, our path and the path of Christ will converge. There is no better place to be.