This past Saturday afternoon Jo and I went with some friends to see Jesus Revolution. It has surprised many pundits at the box office, taking in more than they ever predicted or maybe even dreamed of. My purpose here is not to give a review but to make a point about one of the characters.
The movie is about the early “story” of Pastor Greg Laurie’s search for meaning and hope in a world gone mad (some things never change do they?). It was a lesson though that Pastor Greg learned many years later-far removed from those Jesus Movement days-that sticks with me. On July 25, 2008, Greg’s son, Christopher, died in a car accident he was responsible for. As you can imagine, Greg was devastated beyond words. I have 2 daughters and I simply cannot imagine the grief and pain I would feel if they were taken from this life.
But through his pain, Greg received some great words of wisdom from his mentor, Pastor Chuck Smith. Smith said,
“Don’t ever trade what you know for what you don’t know.”
With that in mind, what do I know?
- I know that God loves me.
- I know that God wants what is best for me (even though I can’t see it).
- I know God has a plan for my life and knows the end of my days.
- I know God has promised to never leave me or forsake me.
- I also know God doesn’t always give me what I want and sometimes I have to wait for His answer.
Sometimes God doesn’t answer prayers as quickly as I want or would like Him to. But He will not let me down. Delays are not necessarily denials. Sometimes we have those dark nights of the soul.
So…the next time you or I feel abandoned; the next time you or I feel alone; the next time you or I feel God is not listening “Don’t ever trade what you know for what you don’t know.”
I heard it said recently: “Feelings are a great check engine light, but a terrible GPS.” Don’t trust your feelings. Trust the ONE whom you know.
Emotions are fickle and unpredictable at times. Not that they aren’t valid, we were created as emotional beings. But our emotions should always… ALWAYS… Be checked against “What we know”
Taking the analogy of the check engine light a step further…
Your emotions are the sensors… Sometimes the sensor simply needs replaced or cleaned. Don’t rip out the engine or transmission just because the sensor light comes on… Time for a 50,000 mile check perhaps, but allow God’s truth have the final say.
Great reminder today Bill!
You are so right Ryan. When it comes to emotions we sometimes throw the baby out with the bath water. When we do that we injure our ability to feel and to care. Don’t rip it out…harness it. Thanks for the good words today.
Absolutely true Bill. We may not get all of our why me, what ifs answered as quickly as we might like. However, God has over 300, maybe more promises that He keeps and we can rely on. Some of my why’s took five years or so before I really understood why, once I did, I could see how much God loved me, and how He is always right. When in doubt, confused, asking why, always go back to what you do know and can rely on, God’s promise’s never fail, and no one can ever love us as much as He has, and He will.
When you think about the number of God’s promises it blows one away. And then we have to wonder why we question. I want to remember those promises.
Amen, Bill! Let us put our trust in God, our known entity, and not our feelings.
I’m looking forward to seeing this movie, for sure!
Blessings!
Feelings are so deceptive aren’t they Martha? You are right. Let’s put our trust in the known. And I will be interested in hearing your thoughts.