- Started losing the use of my voice a few weeks ago and found myself with a camera on the end of a long tube going down my throat yesterday. No serious problems detected, but what I figured would be a couple hours out of my day ended up taking the entire day...a day it didn't seem like I had to spare.
- I made a well-intentioned but not thought-through-enough decision with my church and have had to spend quite a chunk of time "mending fences" - time it seems I didn't have to spare.
- I showed up for my "other job" as Chaplain at Highland Ridge Senior Living Community in Williamsburg, Iowa, to discover that in the span of 48 hours, three of our dear residents had been placed on hospice. As of this writing at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, two of them have passed away. I was more than happy to give the time these required, but it seemed to be time I didn't have to spare.
- As I walk out these doors in a few minutes, I will head to Cedar Rapids Mercy Hospital to spend time with a dear saint from my church named Betty - and her outlook is challenging, to say the least. I truly love this woman and will do whatever it takes to bring comfort, peace and assurance to her, but it sure seems I didn't have this time to spare.
Now, I know that you know exactly what these kinds of weeks are like - you may well have them more often than I. And if you have, you may very well be thinking right now, "Kirk, God's trying to teach you something here." And you know what? I'm sure that He is. Matter of fact, I think I know what He's doing (or at least part of what He's doing). Ready for this? Here it is:
Regardless of how random, crazy, disjointed, whopper-jawed and unplanned life appears to be right now, it is NOT. Contrary to how I may find myself from time to time, God is NOT wringing His hands, saying, "What am I going to do now? I'm so confused - which way should I turn? What should I do? I don't think I can handle this mess - it's just too much for Me!"
The simple fact is this (I wish this was original with me, 'cause I love it): Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God? (Thanks, Steve Moore). By definition, to "occur" in this context means to think of something that you haven't thought of before. And with God, that's simply impossible, since He's all-knowing and all-prepared for all situations. That means He knows exactly What's going on and exactly Why...and He's working it all for my good, even when it doesn't make sense to me (good old Romans 8:28 - notice the "condition" there).
Thus, when Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter and departure time for Guatemala roll around (and who knows what else in between), I'll be ready. Not because I am "super pastor," but because He is ready...all the time...which means that I can trust Him...all the time. I'm sure glad He knows what's going on! Rest assured that He knows your life as well. Go ahead, trust Him...give Him a try. He's much more ready than you or I will ever be!
