Hope

Where Strength is Found

One of my favorite songs from Third Day’s live albums starts with the lead singer, Max Powell, stating, “I can’t go on. I can’t go on” and then turning to a bandmate he asks “Can you go on?” After receiving an answer in the affirmative, the show continues.

This probably well-rehearsed skit is amusing and relatable because we’ve also been in situations where we feel like we can’t go on. Whether we’re playing a live concert or we’re faced with seemingly insurmountable life challenges, every one knows what it feels like to be spent. Some seem to get more than their fair share than others, but everyone gets to that place sometime. It’s the moment of complete helplessness, and if we allow, the moment of complete surrender.

“There are no athiests in the foxhole” is an old saying that demonstrates are susceptibility to turning towards God when our needs are mostly strongly felt. Many times however in turning to God in our moments of desperation, we ask for rescue and not for Him. We seek escape not His presence. We ask for relief and miss the opportunity for growth.

Luis Palau said, “When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and
confusion, don’t pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God.” May this always be our prayer.

Continue Reading

Growth

The Coming Storm

Life tends to have cycles. If you are in a time of tumult, wait a bit and calm will come. If you are in a period of respite, don’t get too comfortable, life will surely throw you a curve ball. There’s an old saying that the only thing certain in life is that things won’t remain the same. Change is inevitable. Just ask the man in Poland who recently woke up from a 19-year coma. When he went into the coma, the world’s great struggle was between Communism and Democracy. Awaking 20 years later, he’s faced with a world controlled by cell phones, accessed through the Internet and plagued with reality TV. Not only has his nation’s government radically changed, but the concerns that were so prevalent then, are a mere memory today.

Change will sometimes have positive results. Oftentimes change brings us unexpected surprises and unwarranted favor. However, change can also cause us to throw our hands up in despair. At these times, we run towards God hoping that He can change our bad situation to good. And while He certainly can, that’s not the greatest benefit of running to Him. More than the change in circumstance that He has the power to wrought, running towards God refreshes our spirit with Him. As George MacDonald says, “How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest
resource! We go to him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.” We go to God for respite from our struggles and find that true rest only comes in Him.

Captains of ships seek to anticipate storms and avoid them. However, when tides change and winds shift, they must make a decision about they’ll adjust to the situation. Every captain’s desire is to avoid being run aground. An unanticipated harbor provides sweet relief. That’s what God is. Our harbor in every storm, as well as our lighthouse guiding us home.

Continue Reading