North American culture is often seen to be pursuing pleasure but for many it is more about avoiding pain. I remember seeing a movie in which the main character is seen taking pills early in the story to handle what he thought were panic attacks; only to discover later that they were suppressing super-human abilities he had. I'm not a pain seeker but could it be that the attempt to avoid it has actually robbed us of the things God desires for our lives? The very change we desire that will determine a different and better future is often sitting in the midst of crisis.
Consider the following verses:
- strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22, NASB)
- But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (Matt. 13:20-21, NKJV)
- "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NLT)
- We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Rom. 5:3, NLT)
- My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (Jas. 1:2-4, NKJV)
The United States government is in "crisis mode." They are quickly approaching the "fiscal cliff" and most are trying to avoid it. Some actually want to see what happens if the fiscal cliff provisions within their laws go into effect. They believe that both deep spending cuts and tax increases are what the US needs. Many see these provisions as too painful for the nation to endure without entering another recession. The reality is not whether a crisis can be avoided. Crisis really is about the decision.
Crisis is actually a Greek word. It appears 48 times in the KJV New Testament and is translated as "judgement" 41 times--normally in relation to the judgement of God. Krisis (κρίσις) is decision. The tribulations, trials, sufferings and problems that we face can bring us to crisis points--points of making life-changing decisions. You may wonder why you seem to repeat some difficulty in your life. I would suggest you consider whether God is calling you to a meaningful decision that will change your course in a way He desires. You may be encountering a new trial in your life. As I was working on this pondering several people have encountered, or faced the possibility of, the death of a loved one. This puts people in the place of having to make decisions for the future. Many others are facing crises of different sorts or types.
This pondering is not what I thought I would be saying at the beginning of 2013. I chose to write on this because there are many people facing their own choices who need to be encouraged to choose faith and life. Moses final challenge to the Israelites was to choose life in obeying God's voice (Deu. 30:19-20). Joshua's challenge to serve The Lord was the same in the valley at Shechem (Josh. 24:15). Sometimes our decisions are for life-giving change, while others are for life-sustaining steadfastness in the decisions we have already made. Go into 2013 having already made right decisions and sticking to them. These decisions will help you in continuing to make the right decisions with the help of the Judge (Is. 11:4; 2 Tim. 4:8).
Journeying with you, Pastor Merril
