You Can't Outrun Trouble

“The last great battle of the Civil War took place near the McLean Farm in Appomattox, Virginia. The McLean house was chosen to be the spot where Gen. Robert E. Lee would surrender to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. The McLeans were new to the area. They previously lived near a place called Bull Run, site of the first major battle of the Civil War. Later there was a second battle of Bull Run, and the McLeans finally gave up, not wanting to see any more war. That is why they moved. McLean used to say, “The war started in my front yard and ended in my parlor.” It just goes to show you, you can’t outrun trouble.”*

            The prophet Jonah thought that he could outrun his troubles.  You know the story -- God instructs Jonah to do something difficult and the first thing he does is attempt to run away.  He books passage on a ship headed to Tarshish instead of obediently heading for Nineveh.  But God isn’t so easily dissuaded.  Following an encounter with a divinely-appointed storm and great fish, Jonah rethinks his decision to try and outrun God.  I suppose being regurgitated alive from the belly of a fish would tend to cause anyone to reflect on their life choices.

            Jonah goes on to preach to the Ninevites, but he is still harboring some rebellion in his heart.  This is seen in his angry response to the repentance of the Ninevites.  There is a sense that, even though he was physically present, Jonah was still on the run.  But God still pursues him.  He confronts the petulant prophet’s “I told you so’s” with an up-close-and-personal lesson on compassion.

            It’s true.  We can’t out-run trouble.  But for the child of God, that can be a source of comfort.  Like Jonah, God loves us too much to let us keep running without attempting to turn us around.  The storm and big fishes of life just might be what’s needed to get us to consider the paths we have chosen.

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.preaching.com/sermon-illustrations/illustration-trouble-will-find-you/

What Was He Thinking?

I suspect most of you have seen the video of the man taunting the buffalo in Yellowstone Park a couple of weeks ago.  As happens often in the park, traffic had come to a stop due to some animal near the roadway.  Smart people stay in their vehicles during these times due to the unpredictability of these wild animals. But occasionally a “less than smart” (is that a kind way to put it?) individual decides to interact with nature in a more personal but definitely more dangerous way.  That happened on this particular occasion.  Raymond Reinke, age 55, was caught on video approaching the bull buffalo.  He then proceeded to wave his arms and yell at the animal.  Not surprisingly, the buffalo turned and ran with his horns lowered at Reinke.  Only at the last moment did the buffalo stop the charge, perhaps the only reason why this foolhardy tourist escaped serious injury or even death.  What in the world was Reinke thinking?  I suspect he wasn’t.  He had been stopped by authorities twice in the previous days and alcohol was a factor in both of those encounters.  So chances are pretty good that he was under the influence of “liquid courage” as he involved himself in this idiotic escapade as well.  But whatever motivated him to do what he did, it is a wonder that Reinke survived his foolishness.

While we shake our heads at this, I wonder if we end up doing the same thing in our lives spiritually.  We are warned very clearly in Scripture about the danger that our adversary, the devil, presents (1 Peter 5:8).  And thankfully, by the power of God, we do not have to cower before him.  We are instructed to resist him (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9) but never should we underestimate him or, worse yet, taunt him.  Such foolishness just invites spiritual harm and gives an unnecessary opportunity to the one who seeks to destroy us (Ephesians 4:27).  Don’t taunt buffalos or Satan!

God loves you!

Mike

Analysis Paralysis

            Steven Brice wrote recently of all the emotions he and his family are experiencing as they reach the culmination of decade’s worth of planning and training to launch a new ministry in Philadelphia.  During this time, the story of God’s calling of Abram to leave all that was familiar to him and go to a place that was unknown to him (Genesis 12) became more meaningful to Brice.  As he reflects on this part of Abram’s story and draws some parallels to his own move, he shares the following paragraph:

            “The point is that God calls Abram to leave everything to go to a place without any direction. In this hyper informative age, it would sound ludicrous for me to inform my family and friends that God told me to go to “adsfjsadhflds,” let alone go to Philadelphia. This reflection has birthed a question in my heart: has the information age drowned our ability to hear God call us to go to places and do things that would leave us clueless like Abram? Have we become so educated and business savvy that we need to be sure that every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed before we take our first step? Are we still hearing from God? Is God writing new stories of faith using us as participants in his mission, or have we been paralyzed with contentment and fascination by reading what God has done in the past through the lives of biblical characters?”*

            Can you relate to what Steven Brice says here?  I surely can.  I’m of the personality type that likes to have all the “i’s” dotted and “t’s” crossed before launching out on a project.  And while a certain amount of caution is probably good (see, I’m already justifying myself), when it comes to God’s call in my life, perhaps more faith and less analysis and information-gathering is best.  Maybe Abram had his questions too but, as far as we know, he didn’t voice them.  He just packed his bags.  What amazing faith!

God loves you!

Mike

*http://char.is/blog/2018/06/28/where-are-you-going-abram/