Cabin Fever

Most of us in the east are more than ready for spring to break. I was visiting with a family the other day and they said they were about to kill each other. My daughters are "bored out of their mind", my wife is going stir crazy and even the family dog is going through "grass withdraw". There is nothing like feeling trapped in the house and longing for warm summer breezes and feet in the grass.

I was reading in Galations 4 and 5 this evening about the one who seeks righteousness by keeping the law verses the one who lives by faith. Paul does an awesome job comparing it to slavery and the two covenants of Sarah and Hagar. As I read, my mind wandered (yeah, it happens) to the parallel of cabin fever. I can't imagine living trapped in a house all my life, looking out the window at flowers blossoming and birds making nests; at lilies breaking through the soil and sunbeams dancing through the leaves of the trees and yet feeling as though I'm only getting a one dimensional experience. I want the REAL thing! That's righteousness by faith. That's grace, mercy and the free gift of God.

Well, the Weather Channel says cold again tomorrow, but I know that I'll be out of the "cabin" soon enough. Thank you Jesus that I'm already "out" of the law.

It's Not Fair!

"It's not fair!" If you've ever raised a teenager, chances are you've heard this line many times. Every teen has friends that can go anywhere, with anyone, at anytime, wearing anything for any reason. The caring, thinking parent constantly battles the comparison conundrum. (Actually we don't, because when ours were little, we said "I'm not your friends parent - just yours - your good luck) Anyway, we adults are just as bad. I remember watching an old Candid Camera (remember that show?) where someone came into a diner and ordered a slice of pie. They were served the standard size slice with no complaints. While they ate, another "customer" came in, sat beside the original customer at the counter, and ordered the same. The waitress brought a huge piece of pie to the second customer. You know what happened right? The first customer complained of unfair treatment.

We complain of unfair this and unfair that. Taxes, pay, job responsibilities, etc, etc. But scripture holds an account of the most unfair situation of all. It also holds the lesson in how we are to see what we think are unfair circumstances.

Joseph was a young man who committed no wrong and yet was sold into slavery and then betrayed into prison. He could have whined and cried "unfair" until the cows came home (and rightly so), but he chose instead to see God's hand at work and remain faithful. In the end (after a few years), he became the second most powerful man in Egypt and saved not only Egypt, but his extended family as well. He saw that what man intended for bad, God intended for good.

So, watch what you cry "unfair" about...you may be about to save a nation.

The Mountain Morning

I'm always stunned and left wondering at the obedience of Abraham. It's so easy to read of the account involving his taking Isaac to the mountain to sacrifice him. But think about the trust factor he had with God. The one line that always smacks me in the face is, "So early in the morning Abraham got up...". I marvel at his obedience. No sleeping in late; no taking some time to fast and pray; no discussing the issue with Sarah and/or elders in the community. He got up, got ready, and left for the mountain.

I wonder where the church would be today if we all exhibited that kind of obedience? I wonder what miracles we would see, what marriages would look like, what wayward kids would be home, what finances would be in order, what prisons would be empty, what churches would be full.

I wonder where I would be. I wonder. Grant me the determination to be as obedient as Abraham, Lord.