Life by Design

When I started writing on this new blog location back in February I shared how far away I had drifted in my "Personal" walk with Christ and how God was leading me "back home." Because of the "NEW" things God is doing in my life as a result of investing the first hour of each day exclusively to HIM, we are focusing our attention on Sundays to this topic: "The Courts of the Lord." I figured since God was showing me how to get back on track, I should share with our people what He was teaching me. I don't think I have ever spoken on a topic that was so real in my personal journey at the time I was actually experiencing it!

As I was writing in my journal yesterday after reading a very difficult Psalm to translate and apply (I am talking about Psalm 88; it is a difficult one), I began thinking about the way we respond to those difficult times in our lives that seem to be as dependable as rising consumer prices. I thought I would share some of the things I wrote and maybe inspire some "deeper" thinkers to process some of these ideas.

From my journal:
The Psalm I read this morning was dark and gloomy. (Ps.88) There is no doubt that this song was written by someone in deep anguish. While the message of this Psalm is difficult to discern, it reminds me how the Bible is true to life. This song describes how many of us "feel" when things in our lives are going bad. The Bible is real because it does not paint a glossy picture of reality that we can't identify with. We all feel like we've been abandoned at times.

Actually, God created us to LIVE! We are specially designed to enjoy life. When problems come into our lives we respond according to our design. Sin, sickness, death, and the many manifestations of evil are abnormal for the LIFE God designed us to live. Our reactions to adverse life situations is born in our created design.

We read in Genesis of a "Curse" that was placed on humanity, the earth and Satan after the first sin by Adam and Eve. This curse circumvents our reality by continually forcing us to process situations that we were not designed for. That is why we NEED the STRENGTH that only God can give us for this formidable task.

We are not "called to cope" with life on earth; we are "CALLED TO OVERCOME!" The Bible is filled with stories of "OVERCOMERS!" In the opening chapters of Revelation there are 7 letters that were written to 7 real churches. In each of the letters there is a Promise of Blessings by God for those who OVERCOME the setbacks, temptations, and challenges of our "fallen world."

Processing the various stimuli that affect our 'outlook' on life, God, happiness, pain, etc. involves a careful mixture of Faith and a determination that refuses to give up. The "Abundant Life" Jesus promises us is available in the midst of the various "traps" set for us to steal what God has designed for us. (cf. John 10:10) Psalm 77:19 says that God made a way for His People "through the sea." This means that God's WAY in every problem lies in the midst of the problem! Walking by faith and living in the "real world" should never be segregated. It is only when we integrate faith with our daily challenges that we actually experience this ABUNDANCY OF LIFE!

Well, that's what I wrote in my journal on May 3, 2010. HAPPY MUSING!