Message from the Pastor
Rev. Ron Johnson
 

Some of the events of the past week have reminded us once again of the trials and troubles that can challenge our lives. The collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis, the explosion in Sioux Center and subsequent death of a father, husband, brother, and the coal miners trapped in Utah. Life is extremely fragile, unpredictable, and yes, at times very, very painful. How are we as Christian people to make sense out of such tragedy and adversity? What are the lessons we need to learn when the world breaks our hearts?

I am reminded of an African proverb which says: "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." I appreciate the wisdom of William Secker who said: "Times of trouble have often been times of triumph to a believer. Suffering seasons have generally been sifting seasons in which the Christian has lost his chaff and the hypocrite his courage."

The apostle Paul was between "a rock and a hard place" while in prison and yet he wrote in Philippians 1:12: "And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News." Because of Paul's adversity through imprisonment his captors were brought to Christ, his colleagues were emboldened, his critics were exposed, and his Christ was exalted.

The message is that good things are revealed in the midst of tragedy and trial. In fact, at times it takes tragedy and trial to help us see what it is that God is revealing to us. In his book "Knowing God," J.I. Parker writes: We should not, therefore, be too taken back when unexpected and upsetting and discouraging things happen to us now. What do they mean? Why, simply that God in his wisdom means to make something of us which we have not attained yet, and is dealing with us accordingly. "It is often the case, as all the saints know, that fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet, and Christian joy the greatest, when the cross is heaviest."

Packer then suggests two ways of handling the trials of life when we cannot, for the moment, see God's purpose in them. "First, by taking them as from God, and asking ourselves what reactions to them, and in them, the gospel of God requires of us; second, by seeking God's face specifically about them. If we do these two things, we shall never find ourselves wholly in the dark as to God's purpose in troubles."

Allan Emery has written a book entitled, "A Turtle on a Fencepost." In the book he tells of accompanying businessmen Ken Hansen to visit a hospitalized employee. The patient lay very still, his eyes conveying anguish. His surgery had taken eight hours, and recovery was long and uncertain.

"Alex," said Ken quietly, "you know I have had a number of serious surgeries. I know the pain of trying to talk. I think I know what questions you are asking. There are two verses I want to give you - Genesis 42:36 and Romans 8:28. We have the option of these two attitudes. We need the perspective of the latter."

Hansen turned to the passages, read them, then prayed and left. The young man, Alex Balc, took the message to heart. He later enjoyed full recovery. Everyday we choose one of these attitudes amid life's difficulties- to be beat-up, of to be up-beat. To say with Jacob in Genesis 42:36; "All these things are against me." Or to say with Paul in Romans 8:28: "All these things are working together for the good to those who love the Lord."

What will be your attitude when faced with times of trouble, adversity, and even tragedy? Hear God say to you as recorded in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Never forget, God has plans for your life. Take heart and hold on to hope!!

Striving to be Up-beat on the Journey,

Rev. Ron Johnson

(This article is dedicated to my sister Barb in the midst of her trials and adversity.)

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Understanding the World

When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. I told her that it looked like a mess from where I was . As from the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat.  She would smile at me, look down, and gently say, " My son, you go about your playing for awhile, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side."

I would wonder why she was using dark threads along with bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear my Mother's voice say, "Son, come sit on my knee." This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy.

Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."

Many times through the years I have looked up to God in heaven and said, "What is going on here? What are you doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering your life." I responded, "But it looks like a mess down here. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?"

"My child," a powerful voice from above said. "You go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on my knee and you will see the plan from My side."

This is a reminder that all we know is that we don't know. But we do know in the end, everything is for good. It is just our lack of understanding that makes us perceive it otherwise. So when something something challenging happens, look at it from this perspective--that it is part of your growth, part of your healing, part of your reason for being here and part of the divine plan. Then smile to yourself.

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