Day 71 – Why?

Thoughts that have come from various quotes taken from the book, "Victor - Breaking Free From a Victim Based Society" by John H. Hovis. Click here to link directly to the audio file.

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"I don’t believe we will ever get a clear answer to the daunting “WHY?” questions that burden us all from time to time in this life. But I do believe that we can catch a glimpse of the big picture when it comes to bad things happening in our lives."

As quoted from the book "Victor - Breaking Free From a Victim-Based Society" by John H. Hovis Page 139.

Wouldn't it be nice to know the full extent of the big picture of your life? Decision making would be such a snap if we could make decisions with the fullness of our existence in mind. It is when we are uncertain about who we are or what we are here on earth for that the decision making process can be such a confusion and frustrating activity.

So what are we to do? Should we just give up and let life pass us by? I've been to the point in my life where that looked to be the only prudent thing to do. What a waste to be stuck in that place. It is when life seems so unfair, when it looks like we are just spinning our wheels and more and more trouble just seems to come our way that the question of "Why?" can have incredible influence in our lives.

I have found that trying to get the answer to the question "Why?" when bad things come my way is not always possible simply because we just can't see the end from where we are now. Without the perspective of knowing where we will be tomorrow, today can be such a confusing and upsetting place to be.

Take a look at today's Bible reading and notice what it is saying about the challenges we will face in this life.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

I believe that God knows that if we were to catch more than a glimpse of our lives we would be tempted to decide to go it alone without him. It isn't that he wants to wreck our lives so that we will spend time with Him - that's a pretty sick being that would do that for His own pleasure. It is that we would miss out on the beauty of a journey that is so much more than just getting from point A to point B. It isn't that God would be hurt if we were to go through this life without Him. It would be our lives that would fall way short from what they were meant to be and God's love just can't stand that possibility for us.

Life can be so tiring. The events that surround us can work to ware us out. Trying to get the reasons behind the circumstances that can drain our energy so quickly is an endeavor laced with exhaustion. I love the promise of peace in today's reading. When we go with God in this life, when we get away with Him, we recover our life. Real rest is ours to have. By being with God we learn how to move in this crazy world. We come into contact with "the unforced rhythms of grace."

Think about those last five words above, "the unforced rhythms of grace." There is a powerful peace in the combination of those words. Grace is a powerful antidote to just about anything that ails us. Grace is the action of being given something that was undeserved. I love how grace is described as being brought with unforced rhythms. It is as though grace is such an easy commodity for God to give - and it is! It isn't that grace is cheat. No, His grace cost Him everything. But, Oh how precious those unforced rhythms of grace are when life works us to the bone.

Trying to figure out the "Why?" behind the what in our lives is such a burdensome and draining activity. The glimpses we gain into our existence simply aren't enough to let perspective be what opens the doors to the rhythms of grace. It is when we come to our senses and come to God that we can begin to sense His movement in our lives There, and only there, can the victor find the power needed to let grace abound.

Are your forcing it today? Do you feel the tiredness of working hard to make that precious rhythm happen in your life? If so, maybe it is time to rest in who God says you are. Let your status as a victor that comes with being a child of God be what brings the unforced rhythms of grace in your life today.