You Are A Vapor...

(repost from 04-30-10)
Jas 4:14-15 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." (nasb)

I was reminded this week just how precious life here on earth is. A young man who is friends with my son Austin Hiatt was killed in a vehicle accident and his passing has greatly impacted the lives of the many people who knew him. He was a vibrant young man full of life and enthusiasm and he had many hopes and dreams left to live for. Unfortunately his life was cut short... His opportunity to continue to make a difference in the lives of others was taken away and now all that is left is the memories in the hearts of those who knew him and loved him.

Or is that the end of the story?

SAMUEL ISSAC ELKINS
age 18
Happy Valley, OR

James reminds us that we don't know what our life will be like tomorrow. We are a vapor. When I think on that phrase I think of a tea pot blowing out steam. Once the pot is removed from the heat source the steam vanishes, there is nothing left... Our life here on earth is a vapor when we contrast it to eternity with Jesus. However, God promises in His word that He works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The life of young Sam may be complete on this earth, but there will be good that comes from his shortened life and it is promised. We don't know how, when, or what that will be but we long for God to comfort and reveal Himself during this struggle.

What are you going to do with your life today? If the Lord wills we will have the opportunity to take another breath tomorrow. If the Lord wills it! God is sovereign and in control of all the things that go on in our life good or bad and He desires to use them for His eternal purpose. Is the pain of losing someone so young difficult to bear? You bet it is...but trying to remember that God is in control and doing many things to bring glory to Himself and good to His people gives us a comfort that far outweighs the pain of losing a loved one.

1Jn 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (nasb)

Lord God, we ask for comfort in this time of loss for the friends and family of our friend Sam. He was a young man with much opportunity and it appears to us that nothing good can come from such a loss as this. But you are faithful Lord and we trust you and we are prepared to see you work in the lives of many because of the loss of this young man. Be with his mother and father today and for a long time as they grieve the loss of their precious child. Amen

God Will Deliver From Our Past Troubles

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, (nasb)

Every human being has the ability to rise above his or her circumstances and succeed in Christ in spite of their upbringing, their sinful rebellion against God, or their consequences they have to endure.

I don't know how many times I have heard someone say that there is no way they will ever be in God's favor because they have such a horrible past and God could never accept them for the things they have done. Others have shared that they have been the victim of many horrific abuses and they don't know how God could have allowed it or don't even want to seek Him because He must not love them. Or still others say that they are committing such horrible sin currently in their life that God could never forgive them. There is nothing in any of these people's stories that could be further from the truth.

Growing up I was the victim of abuse. In order to escape the pain and trauma of this I resorted to smoking and drinking at a very early age which eventually led me to using drugs and alcohol as a way of escape. The emotional pain sometimes was so difficult to bear that I would leave my home and instead of going to school I would drive my car to a remote spot and get high and sleep my day away in hopes that when I woke up things would be better. When I woke however, the pain and the problems that came from my trauma never left. There were numerous times that suicide seemed like the only way of escaping the anxieties and depression that came from my difficulties and God always provided a way of escape. Finally, after many years of trying to run from or mask my struggles from myself and others I was introduced to Jesus Christ. I heard His call in my life and I answered it. At that time I had finally reached my end and I figured it was probably my last resort. The emotional pain had finally taken control of my life so greatly that I could no longer bear the burden alone. Jesus accepted me right where I was. He spoke to me the night I surrendered to Him and the next morning evangelists came to the door of my home and invited me to church the following Sunday.

I would love to say that after surrendering my life to Jesus everything was great and my problems went away. But that isn't the way it works... God has a way of gently allowing us to work through the struggles in our life with His help and grace. He won't just let us waste our lives and stay stuck in the same old struggles and sin that we bring to our walk with Him. He wants to strengthen us and then use us for His purpose in bringing Glory to Him even in our pain and struggles. Yes, He does heal our wounds and restore our souls, but sometimes the process takes time.

(Psa 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.)

There is a belief out there amongst some Christians that God will keep us from sorrow and suffering and when you give your life over to Him things will be great. He will get you a job, He will heal your pain, He will help your marriage be successful and so on. Yes, God does work in our jobs, our marriages, and our pain, but He also calls us to endure through these circumstances. He never promises us that He will help us avoid them. (2Tim 2:12 (a) If we endure, we will also reign with Him;) God wants to build our character in our struggles rather than guide us around them and avoid them.

I am far from "cured" from my childhood trauma. Even now after over 20 years of walking with the Lord I have frequent times where the things from my past creep up and affect my life and my relationships today. But God is faithful to show me grace and forgive me when I have done or said something hurtful or painful towards others. In addition to His help He has given me a wonderful wife who has walked by my side and sometimes actually led me along during my healing process.

Psa 34:17-19 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. (nasb)

God cares about my problems and yours. When we turn our life over to Him we can begin taking the things that burden us and lay them at His feet for healing and repair. God doesn't reject us or judge us when we are following Christ and He will allow us opportunities to succeed that the world will reject. It doesn't matter what you have been through or what you have done in your life, there is always opportunity for good things to happen when you are serving Christ. He accepts everyone who humbles themselves and calls out to Him for help.

Rom 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Much more could be said about my past, God's sovereignty, and our ability to thrive even when the devil tries to hold us back... But that will have to be another day.

May the Lord bless you and keep you today.