Crisis Mode - A Communal Conundrum

 

Crisis Mode - A Communal Conundrum 

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

 “Yes, Lord!” he replied.

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. (Acts 9:10-19 NLT)

Being back in Texas to spend some time with Mom for a few days has reminded me of three things:

1. I loathe big cities…

2. I loathe traffic…

3. I loathe the “Mix Master.” 

Now, if you’ve never seen or driven through the mix master in DFW (and the spider web of cloverleaf exchanges the different roads offer) well, let me tell you - when you first experience it you will say within your heart - “There is no way out of this!”

It is much the same with us during our everyday lives. We encounter moments in our lives - sometimes daily - when we don’t see a way out.

“How am I going to pay this bill?”

“I wonder what news the doctor will give me?”

“They are probably going to fire me for that…”

“Why does God not answer my prayers?”

“Will people ever love me for me?”

We are human. Our thoughts are human. Our feelings are human. Our perspectives are human. 

We can only react as we have been created to react.

 And often, we react as if we are stuck on the mix master and don’t know how in the world we are going to get off or make it out. 

This had to be similar to the feelings that both Saul and Ananias had some 2000 years ago.

Saul, who was on his way to continue to disrupt and destroy the “Way” is struck blind and has to be led to the home of a stranger. Ananias is hiding to keep from being arrested and imprisoned by Saul…and yet, God commands him through a vision to go to the home where Saul is staying and pray for him so he will be able to see again.

Wow.

So, let’s break this conundrum down.

First, there is a crisis. 

Everyone of us encounters crisis moments. Sometimes, multiple crises at once. Some minor, some major. Some easy to handle - others life altering. Often, we find ourselves in full blown crisis mode.

Second, there is confusion.

We don’t know which way to go. We can’t figure out what is the first step. No one seems to understand. We are stuck - because our crisis has caused confusion.

Third, there is commitment. 

We make a decision. We become resolute in what we are going to do. We’ve determined to do what needs to be done.

Fourth, there is a conclusion. 

The crisis has come. Even in the midst of confusion, of what to do, you become committed to a way of dealing with it. Thus, the matter is concluded…

The only thing left? 

Living with the consequences.

In our story from the Acts of the Apostles we have Saul and Ananias. Both are experiencing a crisis. Both are confused as to what to do within their respective crises. Both make a commitment to do the next thing. This brings about the conclusion of the matter: God sends Ananias to bring Saul’s sight back; then God sends Saul to open the eyes of the world to the good news of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Speaking of consequences - both of these seemingly random crises, consequently lead to the gospel of Jesus Christ being proclaimed and shared throughout every part of the world.

If you are reading this - these two crises and their resolutions are the reason that you are even remotely interested in what we have to write. They are the reason you have purpose today. They are the reason your past does not dictate your future.

What about you? What crisis are you in right now? Know this - you are not alone. And, your crisis and its resolution may be what somebody else needs to hear about in order for them to make it through their crisis. 

After all, that’s why they call it “testimony.” 

The question? Will you stand up and testify?

Hope in a Hurricane

 

“When He thunders, the waters in the heavens are in turmoil, and He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from His storehouses” - Jeremiah 10:13

 "...who covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth and causes grass to grow on the hills…lightning and hail, snow and cloud, stormy wind that executes His command” 

- Psalm 147:8; 148:8

“He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth...“He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour...' The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters his lightning through them. At His direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever He commands them. He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water His earth and show His love” - Job 37:3, 6, 10-13

What do wooly worms, rings around the moon, clouds, cows, pecans, birds, persimmon seeds and aching joints have in common? These are all ways we have tried to predict the weather.

Weather is one of humanity’s greatest conversational topics. This week, however, the weather is more than a mere discussion to overcome awkward silence.

In Florida, and other parts of the East Coast (where we reside), the past few days have been wall to wall coverage of Hurricane Ian - which is just a hair below a Category 5 hurricane.

That’s bad.

Which brings to mind a very important question: does God control the weather? And, if he does, why allow something like a hurricane to develop, devastate and destroy the lives of countless people - who are created in the image of God?

Good questions.

This week is also a reminder that the weather is something people cannot control. Sure, we can “predict” it, but more or less, all we really can do is prepare and respond.

A great analysis of weather from a Christian worldview comes rom apologist, author and theologian Jerry Bridges. In his book “Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts” Bridges writes:

“But God has not walked away from the day-to-day control of His creation. Certainly He has established physical laws by which He governs the forces of nature, but those laws continuously operate according to His sovereign will. A Christian TV meteorologist has determined that there are over 1,400 references to weather terminology in the Bible. Many of these references attribute the outworking of weather directly to the hand of God.”

Even so, perhaps the proper starting point should be NOT “Why does God allow hurricanes” but rather “Why does God NOT leave us during hurricanes?”

Every other god developed via the imagination of humanity demands something from humankind and will only act when appropriately offered various items of sacred worth. Unfortunately, even Christians often act this way: “Here, let me give some extra funds to the church this week and God will help me out of this situation I am in.”

Buying God’s favor? That isn’t biblical. And, it doesn’t work.

The Good News is this: God has placed his people in every area where disasters occur so that he himself is there - his Presence is ever with us (just as Jesus promised when he stated, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age…). God does not leave us during hurricanes.

“Wherever two or more are gathered together in my Name, I will be there in the midst.”

So, why would a loving God allow such terrible things like hurricanes to happen? It is a relevant question. After all, these events cause massive destruction and even death.

Well, the answer is not so simple nor is it completely understandable by our limited human thinking. First off, we must remember that God doesn’t promise us a life free of problems. Some things just happen. There is no rhyme or reason. Perhaps they are a direct consequence of sin. Maybe not. Either way, life happens.

Secondly, we must remember that our Savior promises he’ll never leave us if we put our trust in him. After all, it was he who stated: “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.

Thirdly, it’s imperative that - when faced with traumatic moments in life - you hold tightly to the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven, where no suffering of any kind will be allowed to affect you. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

God’s design for humankind isn’t for you or your loved ones to suffer. Rather he loves you and wants to be there for you through the worst parts of life. Yes, there can be hope in a hurricane.

“Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow - blessings all mine, with 10,000 beside..”