Devotional: Safety Warnings

This post is a devotional I gave at a PCGS staff devotion during the 2015-16 school year

Safety warnings. They are everywhere and on everything. From the annoying, but useful, beeping of a truck backing up, to the “danger: electrical shock” to the “warning: contains peanuts” on the outside of a peanuts package, we are constantly surrounded by reminders and people set up to provide protection and safety.  Unfortunately, having safety rules and regulations does not always mean that a person’s life will be problem free.

Thinking back to three jobs I had growing up, that statement is definitely true. My first real job was cleaning up in a meat department. With lots of sharp equipment, safety is of high importance, and if one is not paying attention, a slice to the finger can easily happen. Unfortunately, this is something by which have first hand experience with. As I was wiping off the meat slicer, my finger got too close and very easily, the slicer did its job. Thankfully, my boss was close by and had some gauze and we wrapped it up quickly, easing the pain and worry in my mind.  A second job, and interesting one, was working on a mink farm. Mink do not like being grabbed by the tail or leg, especially when being vaccinated, and they will let you know by not only trying to bite you, but also directing their spray at you. One way to protect yourself was by wearing thick gloves. A glove with holes in it or one that is not very thick, does not offer much protection to the hand inside as the teeth come biting after you. Again….I can speak from experience. My gloves were wearing thin and a bite was easily felt. And again, thankfully, my boss was close by, and after seeing and hearing my reaction to one of these attacks, he gave me his gloves for the rest of the day. His act allowed me to keep going with less worry. A third job was working at a furniture store. On deliveries, it is critical that before you leave to make sure the taller items are tied up securely in the back of the truck. I realized the importance of this my first summer. When we opened up the back of the truck at our stop to deliver some pieces of furniture, the 5 drawer chest I “tied” up an hour beforehand had been playing a nice little game of pinball in the back of the truck the whole trip. Needless to say, it was in no shape to be given to someone. My boss, who was with me, took it in stride and let the customer know that one more piece was still on its way to the store, and it would be delivered next time we came that way. I could tell he was unhappy, but not once did he get upset at me. Let’s just say I spent a lot of time practicing knots when I got back and never made the mistake again.  My boss’ words, actions, and grace shown to me in a time where I thought I would have to pay for the new piece of furniture allowed us to form a great relationship for the next 6 summers.

Although these examples of misfortune in my life are seemingly meaningless and had no long-term ill effects on me, they do provide a great lesson for what happens when life throws curveballs at you or hardships happen. As much as humans can try to be prepared for certain situations by reading up and getting educated on topics, eating healthy, exercising, and living safe, things will happen in life that that will hurt and make us stop in our tracks, they are just out of our hands. Fortunately, all is not lost, and we are not alone in the journey.

So who are the “bosses” that help us get through? For one, they are the people around you. The relationships formed with other people are very important, and set up opportunities for support. This means that you also are the ones who be that hand for others. John Ortberg in his book The Me I Want To Be states that “there the 3 laws of relationships: observation, observation, observation. People who give life to us are people who notice us. They know what we love and fear. When we work to truly notice someone else, love for them grows.” So take notice of others, and give them life. If you know someone who needs help and support to clean up physical, emotional, or spiritual wounds, pray for them, make them a meal, be an ear for them, encourage them, or write a note.

The most helpful “boss” that provides help and comfort is God.  God, as described in Psalm 3, is “a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high…he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep, I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.”  Isaiah 43 also gives a reassurance of God providing protection and safety. It does not promise a problem free life, but does promise his care.

When in a time of hardship or when someone you know it, place your/his/her name in the blanks below and know that God is there.

Isaiah 43: 1-3

For Prayer:

Lord, help remind me of the following and that you provide:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed ________

    I have summoned _____ by name; ____ is mine.

When __________ pass through the waters,

    I will be with _______.

and when ________ pass through the rivers,

    the rivers will not sweep over _______.

When __________ walk through the fire,

______ will not be burned;

    the flames will not set _____ ablaze.

For you are the Lord our God,

the Holy One of Israel, our Savior;

Amen.

Devotional: His Plans > my plans

The following is a devotional I wrote for our staff devotions at Pella Christian Grade School for the morning of Sept. 12, 2016.

His Plans > my plans

I am not in control. This has been a phrase that has made itself clearly evident to me through various events and conversations with people over the past several months. It is also still one I need to continue to remind myself of often. Most recently, I was reminded of it over the weekend how little control I have. I am definitely not in control of if or when a torrential downpour comes the night of the school's fall event.

We want to plan ahead, be aware of upcoming schedules, and organize for future events. This gives us security and comfort that we are not going to be thrown any curveballs or given any unforeseen additional tasks. We put reminders on our Reminders app, we schedule events on our Calendar app, we write things in our daily planner, and we jot down future plans on our fridge calendar. We plan for what we see and what we believe we will be seeing. However, our human eyes and minds are not able to see the whole picture. Proverbs 19:21 shows us that “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Plans can be made, but it is ultimately God’s plan that will come through.

This summer I had the opportunity to be accepted to and attend a weeklong Christian school leadership training conference in Canada where we were assigned to read a portion of Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby. Included in this reading is the following excerpt that Blackaby used to describe how Jesus carried out his work:

Jesus was never required to develop ministry goals or action plans. He was sent to follow the Father’s plan. . . Jesus came to fulfill his Father’s plans of salvation. He spent each day looking to see what the Father would reveal about his will. When he observed the Father at work, Jesus adjusted his life to join him. . .  Had Jesus entered [Jericho] planning to have lunch with [Zacchaeus] the most notorious sinner of the region? No. He had simply watched for the first sign of the Father’s activity. Once he was where the Father was working, Jesus immediately knew the agenda for his ministry. . . even in the most difficult assignments, including the cross, Jesus accepted his Father’s will unwaveringly. Jesus left his future, as well as his Second Coming, for the Father to determine. [Jesus said in Matt. 24:36: No one knows about that day or hours, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.] Jesus characterized his entire ministry with these words: “By myself I can do nothing.” John 5:30

As uncertain and frustrating as it may be at times, I am glad I am not in control. A Bible verse that is the most reassuring verse for me, and although not an easy one to swallow in the moment, is also from Proverbs, in chapter 3:5-6. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

I am not saying goals and planning have no worth. God has given us phenomenal minds to create and execute plans, and he works through us in making goals for the future. However, there are times where plans do change. Whether planning for a vacation, relocating to a new area, communicating weekly school events, or making a School Improvement Plan, it is important to keep our eyes open for, as Mr. T started off the year with, “the next right step.” These steps will only become more clear to us when we are able to walk with our Father so closely that when he reveals something to us, we willingly change our own personal agenda to what he wants for our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, thank your for who you made each of us to be. You gave us each different gifts and abilities in order to carry out your work in your kingdom. You have placed all of us here for reasons only you know. Help us each to walk more closely with you in order to further understand what your plans are not only for this day, but in coming days, months, and years. Forgive us when we think our plans are better than yours or when we do not look to you when seeking guidance. Thank you for providing an example of the best follower there ever was, your Son.