What's Next?

"But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.”  Genesis 17:81 (NIV)

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”   James 4: 13-15 (NIV)

    I have not been in the position to have a hit recording, block buster movie, or even a very profitable real estate transaction.  I do confess a bit of envy for those that have those types of accomplishments. Regardless of our list of profitable or unsuccessful creative or business ventures in life, there is always a "what's next?" in front of us. As people who desire to do God's will, you may think that there is some kind of guarantee for success, but not so.  I am finally on the eve of my book being published, The Procrastinators Daily Devotion, I hope for success. Yet, my hope is not as substantial as God's will. Like old Sarah, I have faith and do believe that God promised me I would give birth to something important in my life. 

    As I stood in front of a beautiful handmade quilt being auctioned at the West End Fair in Laurelton, Pennsylvania, getting my money ready to pay for those raffle tickets, as I had annually for decades, I questioned God. It went something like this... "Ok God, I know my chances of winning this quilt are next to none. I've been trying to win a quilt here for close to 30 years. How about you give me a sign?  Will I ever be able to stop teaching for my income? How about if I win this quilt this year, it will be you giving me a sign, telling me that someday my career as a writer will earn me all the income I need? I believe that if I win this time, you are promising me that my desire will be rewarded... Ok?"  I believe I heard a "Yes." When the fair ended there was no call notifying me of the prize I wanted so strongly to possess. More than the quilt, I wanted God's will for my life to be his promise fulfilled, that I become a successful author.

    My move to New Hampshire initially involved jumping through all the bureaucratic hoops to transfer my teaching credentials to my new state. Months later, after securing a good substitute position I got a call, "Is this Barbara Gelnett?  Did you buy a raffle ticket to win a quilt?" Yes!  I did win the quilt. That same quilt had to do an entire circuit of several fairs (decreasing my chance of winning) until my ticket was drawn. My first response was, "Thank you Lord!" A prize was won, a promise fulfilled. I have faith by this time next year I will be living in that promise, not because it's what I want, but because it is God's "Yes" to me, it is His will.

Dear Lord, Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Let it be done in me. In Jesus' name.

Everybody Hurts

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (TLB)

Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better.  If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he's in trouble. Also, on a cold night, two under the same blanket gain warmth from each other, but how can one be warm alone?

 

Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-13 (RSV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith...

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but healed.

            After listening to the magnificent voices of Kelly Clarkson and Pink sing the song "Everybody Hurts," I was moved to tears.  I felt touched by the common human experience of emotional pain that crosses all cultures, all over the world.  Secondly, if we are not able to be touched by someone else's pain, we are in a very numb and in a useless state indeed, and that is sad.  Hearing the blend of their powerful, beautiful voices drove home the reality that two are often better than one.  Sometimes we humans do have the ability to gloriously bring out the best in each other.  We were never meant to be alone, to hurt alone, and be separated from the comfort and support of others. Thank God for people in our lives that bring out the best in us, creating lives that are a beautiful song. We were not designed to be isolated, but to be connected to others in an uplifting harmony. It is why our Lord wants us all to gather regularly and to be part of a supportive, faith filled, loving local church.

 

(You may want to check this amazing duet out on YouTube:  Everybody Hurts, Pink & Kelly Clarkson, AMA Awards 2017)     

 

Dear Lord, You are great, and mighty, and worthy of all praise.  You have designed us to be supportive and instrumental in the well-being of others. May we have a heart of compassion like you have.  May we always be responsive to the needs of others.  I am grateful that you have made me part of your Body of Believers. Help me to function within that body to my utmost. Help me to join with others in harmony to proclaim who you are, and to spread the joy of your salvation offered to all humanity.  In Jesus' name... Amen.