TRY NOT TO BLAME
At times, life seems
to mirror precarious roller-coaster rides – up and down, in and out, with startling
curves and sudden drops in altitude. I
have a crystal-clear memory of joining a childhood friend on that daunting
Kennywood Park ride, known to us as “The Wild Maus.” [mouse] It was far more
alarming than my young mind’s imagination had previously conceived. So, disembarking, I blamed my friend, who
(according to me) had talked me into going on that ride ordeal in the first
place.
Truthfully, it was
not Wesley’s fault, nor his decision. I
entered that ride of my own free will and volition. The blame game was simply my means of coping
with those dizzying twin-terrors of imbalance and fear.
Unanticipated
curves-in-life can cause us to feel like mere pawns in some grand ‘celestial game’
– as if God is allowing us to experience ups-and-downs for no good purpose,
without rhyme or reason. Indeed, His
process of personal growth and development certainly does not ‘feel’ like love,
not while we are navigating through the dire straits of pain, disappointment, loss,
reversal, or survival.
To be candid, there
have been moments in my faith-walk when I wondered whether it would be accurate
for Heaven to dub me a FAIR-WEATHER CHRISTIAN.
In truth, it is remarkably easy to proclaim faith and pursue commitments
while sailing through calm seas and experiencing clear skies. Rough waters are quite different. On occasion, I must admit that I silently
blamed God for my own choices and circumstances.
The failure is
never in God. Let’s not blame Him.
Instead of cursing
the darkness, true faith mobilizes us to light candles of hope. Thus, we are gradually transformed into bright
lights that will illuminate and inspire others during the inevitable challenges
that knock on every door.
Whether we know it
or not, whether we feel it or not, GOD is riding alongside us on “The Wild Maus”
of our lives – and assuredly, He will see us through every outlandish dip, drop
and curve – even though we might have made the deliberate choice to occupy those
terrifying spaces and places. Grace, mercy
and favor will always be our traveling companions. And God’s got our back!
No comments:
Post a Comment