Today I am Frustrated (Wednesday)...when you read this I will be...

Either on my way to Virginia Beach in Virginia Beach, depending upon when you read this with less frustration or dead and that would be a lot less frustration. My oldest, Lizzy,  is to start law school at Regent University in Virginia Beach Monday afternoon and as of today she does not yet have a confirmed place to live. It is in process. An agonizing, arduous, slow moving, frustrating process but in process none the less. The frustration is that it seems this should be easier. The arduous has been, “We need this, this and this and now we need this oh by the way  we need this and also we need…” just tell me upfront so I can get it all together. I mean really Jesus says you want to follow me then give up your life. Now that is straight and up front this is what it takes. Ah, but frustration is a symptom of something else, a question to the core of each and every one of us. It raises THE question. Do I trust God?

That is THE QUESTION. The one question that I must answer whenever I am challenged with an event that is not progressing the way I think it should or a challenge that seems too great or a dream that is impossible. Do I trust God? Did you see it “the way I think it should?” That pesky I it sits in the middle between s and n in the word “sin.” That is what it is, sin. “I think it should go like this,” was what I said when requested for more information. I fussed and then decided I would send them exactly what they want the way they want it no “I’s” about it.

The question seems absurd. As a believer I trust Him with my eternity. I trust Him to do it in and through me. So, how can I trust him with eternity and yet not trust him with nonsense? You know the everyday hum drum stuff that makes no real difference but frustrates us all. Where is the disconnect in that I can trust God at one level but not at another? A second question comes to mind, “Is it really nonsense or could this nonsense have a purpose now as well as in eternity? What do you think? [Stop here and consider this] (I got that from Chuck Swindol and figured since it was good for Church it was good for George). Does all of the nonsense of life have a purpose? When considered on the grand stage of eternity most of our problems are insignificant and therefore nonsense.

Purpose for nonsense, you bet. God leaves nothing to chance and no aggravating, frustrating process ever goes to waste. He loves us too much, our time here is too short and there is too much at stake. What do you say is at stake? Eternity, the opportunity for others to come along with us and enjoy the Father forever. The privilege of making deposits into our rewards accounts in heaven for future withdrawals. You see all this nonsense develops us into the likeness of Christ. Well, not when I am fussing and cussing but when I finally get through God is waiting with an “are you through yet” look to dazzle and amaze me with his provision and impeccable miracle timing.

Yes, I am listening while I write. It helps me to write this to you so that I can say it to myself. I am finding out that most weeks me (the preacher) needs most to hear the sermon I am preaching. So today I most need to hear and remember the words I am writing to you. Thanks for letting me do just that!

In HIS Service and Yours,

The Rev

p.s. I will let you know how God provides!