The New Normal

There are defining moments in our life that can change the course of our history. Some might seem like insignificant decisions that effect no one at the time..others become our “moment of clarity” or our “rock bottom.” One moment we feel like we’re with a handful of friends headed down a path that looks as great as the yellow brick road to Oz..then the next minute you’re all alone and evil apple trees are pelting you with their fruit.

Ok, reality sucks much worse than that. 

• Marriages that seemed perfect end in nasty divorce.
• Perfectly healthy kids are snatched from our world wayyyy too soon. 
• Faithful friends turn their backs on you when you need them most. 
• The awesome job that finally got you out of debt ends. 
• You were promised one thing..but got something completely different.
• Promises broken..
• Trust destroyed..
• Life makes no sense..

And what is your response?

For many they make the right first step and run to the Lord. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NLT)

And while we WANT to believe those verses..sometimes it just sounds too..um..trite. 

So, we begin running again..looking for something else to fill that God-sized void. And our running leads us to all sorts of crazy places that we KNOW won’t bring us life. But we run anyway. 

Take heart though. King David, in 1 Samuel 21 does the same thing: 

• Saul is trying to kill him..
• David has to say goodbye to his best friend Jonathan..
• He flees for his life..
• First stop, the tabernacle (good choice)..
• But quickly begins lying to “save himself” he thinks..
• Needing protection, he asks for the sword of Goliath (a fond memory of past triumphs, but the power wasn’t in the sword, it was in the radical faith)..

“David lost confidence in God and in fulfillment of God’s purpose for his life which had been revealed to him. He went to God’s house for comfort and help and guidance, but he was detected as being wrong in his soul. Instead of acknowledging the truth to the only one who could help him and confessing that he had been telling a lie, he ran for his life again.” (from Enduring Word commentary)

Now an even crazier move:

• He runs to the Philistine town of Gath (GOLIATH’S HOMETOWN!!!)..
• And carrying the sword of Goliath..
• Now he’s in the city..people recognize him..and he gets fearful..
• So he acts like a madman..flailing arms..drool..the whole nine yards..
• And now we wait to see what happens in the next chapter.

But let’s notice this, we are all Davids. We have life changing situations occur. And we run to God (or maybe just to church) and when we aren’t satisfied by the immediate results we take off again. Maybe go a little crazy. Do stupid things and wonder how and why (when we ran straight into the enemy’s camp). And maybe..just maybe..we forget for a moment that God really does have a plan for us..a plan not to harm us..but do we really believe it??

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

Do you really believe, in the midst of chaos and turmoil and confusion, that God does have a plan and He really is working all things to the good?