Trusting Folding Chairs?

So today I thought it'd be wise to stand on a folding chair to reach something. It didn't work out so well. Shocker I know.

Now I realize there are two ways people can choose to react to that. The more realistic group (my husband) may say,in a loving way of course, "That chair wasn't meant to be used to stand on. What'd you think would happen?" And the more unsystematic group (myself) might choose to give me the benefit of the doubt and say they understand "It was closest thing to you and everybody makes mistakes."

Now before you decide which group you're in let me add a small piece of information, this is the second time I've done this within the last two weeks.Same chair. I chose convenience over common sense and was left to deal with the inevitable consequences...Pain.

It got me wondering how often we do that in our every day life.Depend on unstable things to keep us stable. Whether it be a job, a habit, a relationship, money, a feeling, or the opinions of others. We rely so much on unpredictability. I'm not saying those things are bad. They were created to be good,positive things... if rooted in something unmovable. But those things in and of themselves are constantly fluctuating. They may sustain us for a little while but sooner or later they'll let us down. Not always because they mean to but because just like the folding chair, they weren't made to stand on.

It may seem like a stretch to compare a folding chair to say, a relationship but that's how my crazy mind works. Think about it. I was pretty dang disappointed when that chair decided to be rude and fold causing  me to attempt and fail miserably to keep myself from falling. FYI, Balancing, not my strong suit. No career in the circus in my future. But in all honesty, it wasn't the chair's fault (even though it got a good scolding). It was my choice. I trusted the chair to hold me up when I knew that wasn't it's purpose, it's not what it was created to do.

We hear people say all the time I just want a stable job or a stable relationship. We're all looking for a sense of security. We want something we can bank on. Something we can trust for the long haul. We're all searching for lasting stability are we not?

It's not a bad thing. We were created that way. We weren't hardwired to handle life alone. We were hardwired to find rest in something that's loving and dependable.  God created us to desire that stability.The only problem is so often we search for it in the wrong places. We attempt to stand on countless God-replacements that, like the chair, with the slightest movement end up folding along with us and disappointing us in the process.

I don't care what age you are at some point or another, in one way or another, you've experienced the reality that people and things in this world will disappoint.Can I get an Hallelujer? Don't we wear ourselves out daily trying to stand on things that are constantly slipping beneath our feet? But there is hope in the midst of the weariness! Hold on,that calls for a happy dance y'all! Those countless let downs from people and things are meant to encourage us to quit looking around for stability and start looking up for it. The disappointments in life are God's tools to show us that situations, people, locations,possessions, and positions in life can never fully satisfy the desire of our heart. The desire for something dependable. The bible says to seek God first and everything else will be added to us. (Matthew 6:36)

When we let go of trusting in the unstable folding chairs of this fallen world and start trusting in the stability of God He'll give us a peace we can't find anywhere else. Just ask him and you'll see that He'll set your feet on solid ground that can't be moved. You can choose to keep trying to stand on folding chairs or you can choose to stand on the only stable thing that never moves. Jesus Christ.The satisfaction you're searching for can only be found in Him.The Solid Rock.Unmovable, unfailing, and always stable.

"He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip." Psalm 40:2

Side of the road

Feelings are a tricky thing.They can lead you in all sorts of crazy directions.

I remember one time in college driving down a small one way road minding my own business when suddenly in my rear view mirror I saw the dreaded red and blue lights flashing, and a cop car closing in on me. I couldn't keep my heart from pounding uncontrollably, muscles tightening instinctively, and feeling so sick to my stomach I thought my breakfast was about to see the light of day.

Dutifully yet with undeniable trepidation I started to pull over to the side of the road prepared for the worst.  In the back of my head still wondering how someone living on Ramon noodles & Kraft mac and cheese was going to pay for what I was sure would be a ticket.Saying a quick "God-please-part-the-red-sea-and-let-me-pass" related prayer I looked over my shoulder and much to my surprise saw the cop suddenly fly past me. 

He wasn't even after me. 

I had been in this predicament before once (okay maybe twice) but this time I knew I really wasn't speeding! I just assumed it'd be the same as before.What I felt overshadowed what I knew.If I decided to live my life according to the feelings that I experienced in that moment I would still be sitting on the side of that dusty road waiting for a ticket.

Now I'm not saying there's anything wrong with feelings. God gave them to us. But I do believe sometimes Christians, definitely myself, tend to rely too much on emotional experiences instead of faith.Our feelings are usually based on what our senses perceive to us to be real. Things we can see, touch, feel, taste, or smell tell us what we're experiencing has to be real. But that's not always the case is it? Even scientists have discovered ways to manipulate our brains to make us feel sensations like flying while simply sitting in a chair.

But feelings often change and reality sets in. Circumstances change. It is then we see where our faith truly lies. If we rely completely on things that are always changing we'll more than likely end up disappointed...every time.

Unlike the scientists God doesn't try to trick us into feeling something that isn't real. He is what He is.His word doesn't change. I don't know what season of life you're going through right now but you can have hope in the fact that God is right smack in the middle of it with you. He's the only steady thing in the midst of the chaos. You may not be able to see him, hear him, or even feel him in this moment (I've been there) But I promise you he is there. He can't help but be there.

"God is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t worry.” Deuteronomy 31:8

He has a plan for the struggles. Just hold on. Just like our feelings,they're only temporary.But what he can do with them & through them is eternal. God will change it and if He doesn't, He'll change your feelings about it.Sometimes we just have to have faith instead of relying on our feelings. I don't know about you but I don't want to spend my life sitting on the side of the road waiting for my feelings to change,  I want to walk by faith and see where the road will take me!

I'm letting go

An old blanket. A stuffed animal.

We all had something when we were little that we held onto for dear life. Something that brought us comfort, made us feel safe. It didn't matter what it was just the fact that we had it in our hands or even just in our eyesight somehow always made us feel better.

But at some moment in our life we had to do the one thing the stubborn 3year old in us vowed we'd never do...let go.

Whether it was lost by us or "lost" by a parent or we just reached the point of not needing it anymore, we gave up the object that brought us comfort. We may still have it somewhere for sentimental reasons but it's more than likely you're not toting your one eyed,ragged mickey mouse to work with you.

Take it from someone who has had hoarderish tendencies since I could say "mine" I tend to hold on to object...a lot. Sentimental side coming out I guess. It was really only until I got married that I started throwing stuff out. Partly because I knew it was time for a new chapter in my life and partly because my husband is the furthest thing from a hoarder you can get!

The more I held onto to things the more I realized the only way to have room in my life for the new stuff was to start letting go of the old stuff. The good memories would still be there.  But if I held on, so would the bad ones.

Sometimes the things we hold onto are not objects that bring us comfort but feelings that cause us agony. Situations that bring us pain. People that have hurt us. Mistakes we've made. Isn't it strange that so often the things we hold onto are things we never wish we had in the first place! And yet we keep a Hulk Hogan hold on them!

It's not the easiest thing in the world to let go of things. To face change. To forgive. In a way, like a child's blankie, those things bring us comfort.But at the same time bring us so much pain and yet we refuse to let go. Because if we let go, we enter unfamiliar territory. Strangely, holding on to that thing that hurts us is still familiar and somehow feels safer than letting go. You at least know what to expect from it. But if we let go, things will change and change is never easy. But the only way to experience healing and peace is to just let go. It's not just a flick of the switch. It takes time, it takes patience, and it takes trust that God is bigger than whatever we're holding onto. Whatever it is He can handle it, He wants to handle it. He wants to be your source of comfort.

The only way we have room in our hands for God to hand us something new is if we let go of the old things we're holding so tight to. Beloved he has so much he wants to show and give you! Believe me when I say it will be so much better than what you're holding onto. Trust Him. All you have to do is take the first step of giving it over to him.

Starting this new year I'm vowing to let go of the things that bring me down so I can let God give me the things that lift me up. So take a deep breath, look up, and just let your fingers slip from the blankie.

 

“Forget about what’s happened;don’t keep going over old history.Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new." Isaiah 43:18-19