Reflections 2013: Life is Hard, REALLY

I usually end the year with a post reflecting on the challenges and lessons learned  this year and what my ambitions and disciplines will be for the coming year to make it much more fruitful. As I was thinking about this past year, I made an observation. Every year I think to myself something like this: "Next year is going to be different. Life is going to be smooth sailing. The bank account is going to show a few more commas, the family will get along perfectly, I'll finally get promoted, the Redskins will win the SuperBowl, happy happy happy." I think, "If I can just get these few principles I've learned down pat I can live the next year in peace without any hindrances." But for some reason this just hasn't happened.

Ian Smith has said, " Luck is great, but most of life is hard work.

Lesson learned:

Life is hard, REALLY. In fact, it's hard almost every single day. Aside from working everyday and caring for our families we need to stay healthy, build our skillset, and grow in our relationship with the Lord. Naturally, it takes time and hard work to cultivate anything worth while whether it's a relationship, ministry, or a profession. Meanwhile, there are problems and opportunities bundled in packages simply waiting for us to discover on a daily basis. REALLY. We should learn to expect problems and friction and not be shocked when they arise. I share this because I personally have believed the lie, I know some of  you have as well, that there will come a time when things get much easier. We think, "If I can trust the Lord through this season,  the future will be much easier to navigate." Following the Lord doesn't mean life gets easier, it means we can overcome in every situation and circumstance.

Allow me to share a snippet from John Maxwell:

"Everyone's reality is different. However, there are some realities that are true for all of life:  

Life is difficult. Life is difficult for everyone. Life is more difficult for some than others. Somehow people believe that life is supposed to be easy. This is particularly a problem here in America. We expect a smooth easy road to success. We expect our lives to be hassle free. That is not reality! Even if we are willing to concede that life is difficult for most people, deep down inside many of us secretly hope somehow this truth won't apply to us. I'm sorry to say it isn't so. No one escapes life's problems, failures, and loses. If we are to make progress we must do so through life's difficulties. If we don't understand and accept this truth that life is difficult, we set ourselves up for failure."

It's hard to swallow, but it's true. How many folks believe life is only hard for them? Don't raise your hand. My life has been a twisted mess of hurt, letdowns, and hardships but I've also experienced some great things and have made lasting memories. As I've matured, I've noticed a pattern. Life is full of ups and downs (REALLY) and most of the time everyday is a struggle. The application here is to accept the fact that that life is difficult. BUT, when the good times come, celebrate them. Learn to recognize the waves of peace, pause and enjoy them. Not long after your going to be grinding it out until you get over the next hump. "There's a time and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..." #Truth

The other lesson I learned is that it's ok to be me. I like and enjoy certain things because it's a part of me, it's how I'm wired. What a tragedy it is to copy the lifestyle, talents, and personality of others. If we aren't careful we won't fulfill our dream because we're to focused on imitating the dreams of others. The comparison game is never ending and exhausting. This came to a head for me while I was at an event earlier this year. I believe I compared myself to every single person I saw, for hours. Worse yet, I think I wanted to be like every single person, weird huh?

My grandfather taught me there's always someone better no matter how good you are. Let them do them and you do you. Or, "You, get you you and I'ma get, me me", as a friend of mine says. Except who you are, don't be ashamed of it. Grow in the areas you need to grown in but never compromise your personality, desires, and talents. If you've been living someone else's dream, ask God for a dream of your own and He will give it to you.

"Whatever you think, be sure it is what you think; whatever you want; be sure it is what you want". -TS Elliot


Life takes hard work, patience, and determination (REALLY) to make it through. I believe it was Augustine who said, "The more I have to do today, the more time I spend with God." Likewise,  Dr. Hang Yang's sermon this year was a powerful reminder as to how it's done, by fixing our eyes on Jesus. "Fix" literally means to direct one's eyes, attention, or mind steadily or unwaveringly toward. When we fall we dust ourselves off and get back up. We fight our battles on our knees. Keep moving forward, laugh at yourself, and know this, "It takes a long long time for God to work in someone's life before it amounts to anything."(Rick Warren)

My power verse for next year is Colossians 2:7:

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in  Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Trust through Change

"Perpetual change is not something unsettling, but an unfolding pattern, scintillating and God given. Instead of frozen perfection, there is a kaleidoscopic movement of innumerable processes, each with its own character and period of blossoming and ripening, beautiful in its time and contributing to the overall masterpiece which is the work of one creator." -Iain Provan

We all deal with change, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The ending of one year and beginning of the next is traditionally the time when we contemplate the possibility of change. But what happens when change is forced on us, say through the loss of a relationship, a job change, or a family issue? This week I write to  offer some encouragement for those of us who are going through a season of change.

Coping with a change that you didn't initiate requires that you change your perception of the event. That being said, if we aren't careful we can easily get distorted and lose our sense of direction. It's even possible to begin to resent God and while we second guess Him, the devil seethes as he assaults our minds with all kinds of negative propaganda. (And that's where we put him in his place) I don't casually say this, but sometimes we have to "Let Go...and Let God.". While I admit that its extremely hard to do so when life is making changes that don't seem to fit, we must. While I don't know what the future holds for you or I, I do know the One who does.

Perhaps you have been  waiting for the windows of heaven to open up and for God to bless your socks off for all that faith you have? I say that with a bit of sarcasm, but there is a sense of entitlement we think we deserve because we serve God. I'm not speaking of claiming promises, I'm saying, "I know what's best for me and this isn't it", in other words. Oh how vastly different our needs are compared to what God knows is best for us at the time. I have heard many pastors and people of influence say God took them through the desert. They never imagined the journey would be as it was, but hindsight is 20/20.

While the world waits for us to fall, the scriptures say He will guide us with His eye and that the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him. It's ok to embrace our imperfections, it's ok to admit our failures, it's ok to be uncertain of our future. This is why we have a mighty God we put our trust in. And if we know He always has our best interest in mind, and all things work for our good, then we have to trust Him. CS Lewis put it this way, "Withhold nothing from God and trust Him with everything."

God is never surprised by something that happens to us, He has already met every need you and I will ever have. Thankfully, we’re not at the mercy of the unknown; God’s Word tells us each pilgrim appears before Him (Ps. 84:7). We will be victorious, no matter how long and jagged our valleys might be, because our needs have already been provided for by the master Logistician.

 "The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.

 From the place of His dwelling He looks on

 all the inhabitants of the earth; 

He fashions their hearts individually;

 He considers all their works."

TRANSFORMED

" For God is not unjust  
as to forget your work and the 
love which you have shown toward His name..."