Better Than If I Had Planned It Myself July 25, 2008

A couple years ago my dad helped me move the lilies from the front yard to the back yard.  If I remember correctly I think we were just ready to be done with the project that day and didn’t take time to mark which flowers were what color.  Today, when I walked outside, I happened to notice how the colors were very symmetrical:  yellow/red in the middle, orange on either side, and red on the ends.  I couldn’t have planned that out better if I had taken time to think about it.

It made me think about our lives and how things happen in life.  I often chalk things up to coincidence.  I just happened to go to grad school in South Carolina and just happened to end up at church where a college friend also attended.  Her picture just happened to be in the bulletin on the same day that I visited there (a church of around 600 people).  That church and the teaching and people I met there really influenced my whole perspective on ministry and desire to work in a college setting.

Or I just happened to go on mission trip with my friend Karol to El Salvador.  And just happened to fall in love with a bunch of little kids at the orphanage we visited.  And then I just happened to be attending a church that was looking for missions opportunities and places to partner with in mission which has it has happened is Orphan Helpers.

It reminds me that God is sovereign over every detail of life.  There are no accidents and nothing goes unseen by God. The best things in my life have been the things that have been unplanned and seemed accidental at the time.  Pure coincidence. The last few years have taught me alot about “going with it.”  I like to know what is expected and plan ahead.  But here’s what I’ve learned:  Life is full of surprises and curve balls.  Planning (while important and necessary at times) ahead is way overrated.  And some of the best times are unplanned and unexpected.

Flowers in my backyard

Originally uploaded by jarobers

Redeem the Years July 12, 2008

I’ve been thinking today about how God is a redeemer–of people, of time, of wasted years.  I can think of several times in my life where I have spent time chasing after things that in the end, didn’t really amount to much.  They were temporary or ephmeral or just not ordained by God.  At the end of my chasing when I would realize the folly of my pursuit, I would realize how much time, effort, energy, thought, and emotion I had wated in pursuit of things not eternal.

But, today I’ve had sense of how God redeems time and our empty pursuits.  Finding my heart’s true home in Christ, instead of my chasing, makes all the difference.  When I leave the warm comfort of that true place, then I waste time and energy.  I’m lost and wandering.  Seated in the presence of God’s holy hearth fire, I am renewed and redeemed.

In this passage from Joel, God promises abundant showers and a plentiful harvest.  He promises to redeem the years the locust have eaten.  He takes what is desolate and barren and brings forth an overflowing harvest of praise.

Fear not, Earth! Be glad and celebrate!
God has done great things.
Fear not, wild animals!
The fields and meadows are greening up.
The trees are bearing fruit again:
a bumper crop of fig trees and vines!
Children of Zion, celebrate!
Be glad in your God.
He’s giving you a teacher
to train you how to live right—
Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showers of words
to refresh and nourish your soul, just as he used to do.
And plenty of food for your body—silos full of grain,
casks of wine and barrels of olive oil.

“I’ll make up for the years of the locust,
the great locust devastation—
Locusts savage, locusts deadly,
fierce locusts, locusts of doom,
That great locust invasion
I sent your way.
You’ll eat your fill of good food.
You’ll be full of praises to your God,
The God who has set you back on your heels in wonder.
Never again will my people be despised.
You’ll know without question
that I’m in the thick of life with Israel,
That I’m your God, yes, your God,
the one and only real God.

Joel 2:21-27 from The Message

Strength for Today, Bright Hope for Tomorrow July 7, 2008

Ever since Melissa prompted me to think about songs that have been defining my summer, this one has been coming up on my Ipod alot.  I’ve always loved Fernando Ortega, and this is one of my favorite hymns ever.

Music is such an important part of my life and worship of God.  Any kind of music really.  Whether it is a hymn or a secular song, I can almost always find something that prompts me to worship.  It may just be a catchy tune that quickens my step a little bit and makes me laugh.  That is a reason for worship and a gift from God.  I often listen to music while I’m walking in the mornings around the neighborhood.  Every now and then I get this urge to bust out a move and dance down the street.  I don’t of course, because my neighbors would think I’m crazy.  Maybe they already do, and it wouldn’t matter.

This song has popped on my Ipod lately when I’ve been walking and praying or driving and praying about circumstances and situations beyond my control.  I think it’s God’s reminder to me to trust him.  Almost like God is singing in my ear.