Evendays

I have trouble knowing what is in my control and what isn’t. Sure, in a sense, nothing is under my control. Plans for the future, even what we’ll do tomorrow, are but penciled-in dates, and can be erased, changed or forgotten in a literal lack-of heartbeat.

Because of the above, when faced with a challenge, I struggle with reasonable expectations. How great is my influence in this particular situation? How much does the effectiveness of “the thing” depend on me?

My dreams during early ministry were so large that they were, in fact, illusions. I can remember crying on my “old” friend Clifford’s shoulder while he counseled: You only spend 3 hours a week max with these kids. You are but one influence among hundreds. Get some perspective.

Perspective: Seeing people and situations from God’s point of view; Preaching big things because you believe the God of the message, however he works, transforms people through it.

These days, I tend to see my sphere of influence as quite small, sometimes microscopic. Looking within doesn’t offer perspective. But what does God see?

I want to hold on to dreams that come from above. For people change. Just look at what God’s done in you.

Thank you very much for the comments on welcoming Son 1 back home. I’ve made a few comments on your comments… Wife and I are going to discuss the different suggestions that you made and then fly out the lucky winner. So please don’t make plans, at least any plans you can’t change, for the next few weeks.
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Our Sunday text was Mark 4.35-41. It’s the disciples’ story where Jesus is sleeping in the boat at the same time it’s filling up with water, beaten by winds and waves.

I found 5 hymns in our French song book that deal with Jesus and this miracle (not counting a children’s song). Most are about turning to Jesus when life gets tough. Or just realizing that he’s in the boat with you and so, in the end, all will be okay. A couple poeticize about crying out to Jesus to save us in those difficult times.

But I’m confronted by the text, for in the middle of it stands Jesus’ reproach of the lost-faith-no-faith disciples, a correction that takes place specifically because in their doubt, or because of their doubt, they woke him up. Which leaves us to wonder if they wouldn’t have been more “faithful” to just let Jesus rest and simply ride out the storm in his sleeping presence.