What About Me?

What about me?

1 Timothy 5: ¹¹ But do not include younger widows in the list; because when their desires make them want to marry, they turn away from Christ, ¹² and so become guilty of breaking their earlier promise to him. ¹³ They also learn to waste their time in going around from house to house; but even worse, they learn to be gossips and busybodies, talking of things they should not. ¹⁴ So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us. ¹⁵ For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan. ¹⁶ But if any Christian woman has widows in her family, she must take care of them and not put the burden on the church, so that it may take care of the widows who are all alone.

 

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Feeling sorry for myself had become a ritual. I was in another bad situation and simply wanted someone to get me out of the current trial. Tired of being needy and tired of being in trouble, I groused instead of being excited.

 

• I could only see my problem.
• I needed help and did not know who to ask.
• I felt that no one could understand the trial I was going through.

 

Paul continues giving advice to Timothy regarding widows. He referred to “the list” as a special list reserved for those who have cared for others as a lifelong pursuit. Paul speaks harshly about young widows who can leave their identity in CHRIST by substituting marriage as a pursuit of a new identity. He also points out a new goal, namely caring for others because the need is huge!

 

My Observations

• Sometimes I can pity myself and desire things in substitute of GOD?
• Focused attention on what GOD wants me to do, keeps me away from the traps of the enemy.
• Realizing that I am chosen by GOD as part of the solution, takes my mind off my problems and places focus on what GOD wants.

 

Let’s face it, we have all asked “What about me?” Right? I mean, when life gets hard we want someone who can provide for us during the trial or lift us out of the hole. When this doesn’t happen, we feel GOD isn’t listening and easily stop following HIM to try something else. BUT GOD understands.

 

HE wants us to focus our attention on HIM by caring about other people. This trial is not about you rather it is about keeping you from seeing GOD as the solution. Care is a great remedy to the trial. GOD may have me simply care for those around me enough to pray for him or her and possibly even meet a need every now and then. I am glad GOD helps me take my focus off of “my” trials and place it on HIS love.

 

Challenge

• Be honest, do the words of the writer sound harsh?
• Why?
• Have you ever pitied yourself and just wanted out of this trial, with or without GOD’s help?
• Will you continue to walk with the LORD, asking HIM to firm up your reliance on HIM and to open your eyes to someone who is in need today?

Forsaken

Mark 15: ³³ Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. ³⁴ And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

³⁵ Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” ³⁶ Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”

³⁷ And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

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After a very bad day, I left work to catch the train. It was raining and I wasn’t dressed properly. At least the train ride wouldn’t be long because I parked in my “free” location. When I arrived at my car I noticed a dent the shape of the end of a baseball bat. I guess my observation skills were slow as I also saw my windows were attacked. “Why is this happening?!” I cried out.

• There were times when I had some very bad days.
• There were times when I wanted to just scream.
• There were times when it felt like nothing was going right.

After a strange and mysterious darkness, JESUS says something similar to my cry. “MY GOD MY GOD, why have YOU forsaken ME?” This cry of anguish could only come from a human experiencing a great deal of stress. But this was no ordinary human.

• JESUS saw it was no gain to be GOD and decided to suffer and die so I would not have to.
• JESUS knows what it feels like to be misunderstood and blamed for HIS existence.
• JESUS can empathize, sympathize and rationalize all of the feelings I have because HE felt the same way.

Half way listening, the crowd thought JESUS was crying out to Elijah instead of hearing HIS empathetic anguish. They had no idea what GOD was doing on the cross. Sometimes I have no idea what HE is doing too. When I scream out “Why?!” I want whatever pain I’m going through to end right away.

JESUS knows what I am going through, just like the FATHER knew what JESUS would have to go through. This permanent transformation to humanity included a special relationship change between the FATHER and JESUS. Now JESUS would be the only human that fully understands the power of GOD, because HE IS GOD. HE can forgive me because HE knows what I go through.

• Are you crying out to GOD?
• Do you feel forsaken?
• Will you give your anguish to GOD today and allow HIM to give you peace HIS way?

Running on Fumes

Jonah 2: From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. ² He said:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
    and you listened to my cry.

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⁷ “When my life was ebbing away,
    I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
    to your holy temple.

⁸ “Those who cling to worthless idols
    turn away from God’s love for them.
⁹ But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
    will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

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Nervously I sat and stared at the gas gauge. The low gas indicator light had come on miles back and I saw the most horrifying sign that read “Next Stop 27 Miles.” It was very late at night and the road was dark and unfamiliar. I quieted down the radio but it was still too noisy and I finally had to turn it off. “LORD please help!” I cried.

• Sometimes in life I am running on fumes.
• Sometimes in life I do not have any answers, only questions.
• Sometimes in life I have nowhere to turn but to GOD.

Jonah spent three days in the fish. I’m sure he cried out on the first day, ALL DAY, but no response. When I went twenty six miles I felt relieved because even if the car stopped I could walk the extra mile. I made it to the gas station and to my dismay it was closed for the night. The next sign read “Next Stop 15 Miles.” I cried out again, this time with more fervor “LORD HELP!”

• GOD always helps me but sometimes not in the timing I want.
• GOD always rescues me but sometimes not in the way I want.
• GOD always watches over me but sometimes not in the way or time that I would feel totally in control.

Jonah was probably at the point of giving up. He had no sense of time or days and was extremely uncomfortable. He just knew he was going to die, but for some reason had not. HE calmed down in the middle of the turmoil and prayed.

I got back on the road and made it the additional fifteen miles, praying all the way! Gas poured into the tank and I noticed I was truly on empty. I pumped in the max capacity and about a gallon more! All I could do was thank GOD for saving me. My heart was still racing!

• Are you running on fumes?
• Have your solutions to life failed and now you feel you have nowhere to turn?
• Can you calmly but firmly cry out to GOD even if you have before?
• Will you “praise” HIM even in the middle of your trouble?

When the Chips Fall

Proverbs 14: ³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

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Exhausted was the only way I could describe this particular year. Two broken cars, failing grades, girlfriend trouble, and a job cleaning toilets. Some people said, “Let’s go hang out in another city.” I knew what “hang out” meant so I said “of course!”

• When things got rough I sought relief.
• When things got tough I sought an instant way out of the pain.
• When things got harsh I sought a group who could make me laugh for only a moment.

We didn’t get into any wildness that weekend. Some would say it was fate. BUT GOD changed the circumstances such that we would not do anything outrageous. It was a much needed outing and I returned with my mind refreshed. During that time GOD actually said “I have a different way for you.”

• GOD wants me to seek HIM when problems arise.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face when issues flow.
• GOD wants me to seek the kingdom when troubles knock on my door.

Life is never guaranteed. One minute I have been on top and the next on the bottom. BUT GOD has shown me that HE is faithful no matter where I am. HE loves me dearly and protects me through trouble and pain. HE feels worse that I do when I hurt and wants me to see relief. No matter what I’m going through I seek GOD.

• Are you seeking relief from your situation?
• Have you sinned while seeking relief?
• Will you allow GOD to clean up your mess?
• Will you allow HIM to truly change your heart?

Daily Excitement

Psalm 116: ¹ I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.
² Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

³ The cords of death entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Lord, save me!”

⁵ The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
⁶ The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.

⁷ Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.

⁸ For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling,
⁹ that I may walk before the Lord
    in the land of the living.

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Clouds overhead made it glum and it seemed like that was the beginning of my mood. “Why is it raining?” I asked in futility. I asked to borrow a car instead of taking the bus and my brother relented. The car was old and each time I shut the engine off I would have to open the hood and hotwire it to start it. No, it wasn’t stolen, the ignition just didn’t work well. “Why?”, was my question all day as things fell apart one by one.

• Sometimes I allow the weather to guide my mood.
• Sometimes I ask “why” on things I cannot control.
• Sometimes I let my mood be affected by my surroundings.

I met someone who absolutely loved storms. This person loved the rain and its purpose. That fascinated me and soon I looked at the rain differently. I saw purpose in the rain and GOD’s hand on the storm. I saw HIS power in what looked like destruction and might in what seemed to be devastation. GOD wanted me to see a different view.

• GOD wants me to be excited every day so I must change my mind when I think something is glum.
• GOD wants me to see HIS power during a storm rather than complaining about the storm.
• GOD wants me to call on HIM rather than complaining to HIM, this shows I trust in HIS way, HIS time and HIS power.

When I started seeing GOD in everything, I noticed I could handle the day a little better. Knowing GOD is at work makes me understand HE has compassion, HE is gracious and righteous. GOD saved me and my soul can rest instead of waiting for the perfect circumstance.

• Are you waiting?
• Do you want out of your circumstance?
• Can you recognize GOD’s wonderful might through the storm?