My title for this devotion is Rest vs Worry.
This past week was a week from you-know-where. I not only was faced with a funeral of a friend for a family I have grown to love, but a close friend faced life without a job as he was unceremoniously let go by new owners after 22 years, as well as another crisis which struck way too close to home. Top that with emotions of one who was right on the edge and it was enough to shake a foundation. Don’t get me wrong, I was fine. Really. I knew where my ground was and I knew my foundation was solid. It was these others that had my concern.
Foundation shaking is nothing new. We all have those moments where we totter and waver and sway. It goes something like this:
- I’d like to say my heart is calm, but I can’t.
- I’d like to say I have full confidence in God’s care, but I can’t.
- I’d like to say my faith is rock solid, but I can’t.
- I’d like to say I have no fear of the future, but I can’t. Not quite.
- I’d like to say I have no anxiety, but I can’t.
- I’d like to say my heart’s trust in God’s sovereign plan is rock solid, but I can’t.
So the question is why? Why not? Why can’t I be sure? Why are there moments of weakness? This past week it was not me I was concerned about. I can honestly say that except for wondering what to say at the funeral, I was not questioning. My trust was rock solid (this time). But others were hurting and questioning. I read something this morning which sealed the deal…and one I pray will be brought to memory when I do question:
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:1-2)
“Father, when times get tough, and I know they will, help me to recall these verses. I am not alone. Even with all my doubts; even with my foundation shaking; even with the desire to sometimes just give up; help me to remember your promise. May you be the One in whom I take refuge. Be my shield, my strength, my deliverer, my rock, my stronghold.”
Oddly, Bill, I have been pondering this same conundrum. I say I trust God to bring about what’s best, but deep down when I get truly honest with myself, I wonder why I don’t LIVE that trust? Instead, I try to “fix” things myself. Later I finally let go and let God but it can be an anxious time between those two.
I am not saying this flippantly Pam: been there done that still do it. Gotta wonder what gets into me that I forget.
Praying for you, and the OVCF church family. It sounds like it has been a rough week. I have had my foundation shaken a time or two… That is why a foundation is there, to withstand the shakes, otherwise everything else comes tumbling down.
I cannot even begin to express how important those prayers are Ryan. Thanks.
I would be dishonest with you and myself if I said I’ve never swayed or wavered from what I know is my firm foundation. Worry and fear love to taunt and hassle us, don’t they? Like you, Bill, I’ll cling to the promise that God is my firm foundation, and I can trust Him in all things.
Praying for you and the church family!
I’m with you on that Martha. Worry and fear do love to taunt us. Thanks for your prayers.
Every bullet point above is as if it was spoken directly from my heart. We have all had our foundations shaken. As Ryan S said, that is why a foundation is there. When you fall prostrate on the floor in anguish, you suddenly realize that yes, your world is tumbling down around you but you are still alive. We struggle to cling to our faith in the midst of paralyzing fear and yet, though weak in the flesh the The Creator still has us. For some of us, even that is not enough. God is the concrete in my foundation but my wife is the rebar that holds it together. Then there are the friends and family that are the rocks and mortar that not only strengthen the edge but ad beauty and character to the foundation. Everyone sees the house that you have built but no one notices the foundation until the house is gone. Even the ones who live in the house.
I like your picture Adrift of “everyone sees the house but no one notices the foundation.” I know this is a tough time but I’m sure the foundation will stand. It will shake and rock but it will stand.
Sorry you had to live through that week. In the end more wisdom was given to you to teach and lead the ones He’s put in your path. It is your calling, brother.
I agree with you Floyd. There will be weeks like last week but I also saw some supernatural wisdom come down when I had none. And your are right…it is my calling. One I embrace wholeheartedly.