God's way is always the best way

Can I begin today by being vulnerable with you?  The last few months have been difficult.  I could go on and on detailing the trials and tribulations I have encountered, but the bottom line is, this time has left me emotionally spent.  To top it all off, recently, after another disappointing episode, I found myself reeling and exhausted. 

While I may have been shopping at a grocery store, inwardly I was fighting a spiritual battle.  It was kind of like those old cartoons where there’s a good angel on one shoulder, and a bad angel on the other.  The bad angel was whispering, “Do you really feel that this living for God stuff is worth it?  Wouldn’t you be better off doing your own thing?”  In that low moment, I chose to reaffirm my trust in God, no matter the cost.  This decision seemed to end my spiritual boxing match, and I subsequently wanted to get on my knees, and raise a song of praise to the Lord.

I have often said over the years that God’s way is the best way.  And the reason I begin with this story is to show that I don’t say those words just because it sounds good; no, when I proclaim that God’s way is always the best way, I am speaking to myself first and foremost.  This is a deeply held conviction in my heart of hearts.  That’s not to say that I always choose to go God’s way.  To be honest, there are instances where I foolishly decide to go my own sinful, selfish way.  But God is gracious to pick me up, clean me up, and put me back in the race.  And I think to myself how much better it would have been to go God’s way in the first place.

Back in March of 2015, I wrote a blog that I entitled “Yield to God’s way.”  I stated that I was going to present an important truth.  And I prefaced it by saying, if it turned out to be the last blog I ever wrote, I would be thrilled if it was found to be liberating (this was a particularly fascinating remark, as at the time, I had no way of knowing that my dad was going to unexpectedly pass away a few months later).  What did I end up saying?  It’s actually today’s blog title: God’s way is always the best way. 

Of course, the fact that God’s way is best doesn’t mean that we will always understand just what it is He is doing.  Why He allowed something to happen.  Or why He decided not to heal someone.  This is because “we know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9), while God knows and sees it all.  That can trip some people up.  Later on in the same blog, I gave an illustration that I want to conclude with today.  I wrote:

‘Many years ago, I tried my hand at writing fiction.  I wrote several Batman stories.  Suppose that, in the midst of my stories, Batman and Robin were able to converse with each other.  Good versus evil stories need to have struggle.  That's a simple fact.  Pretend that there have been a string of disappointments and setbacks for the Dynamic Duo.  After a particularly bleak chapter, Batman and Robin are frustrated.  With that in mind, let’s eavesdrop on their conversation.

“Can you believe this writer?"  Robin asks.  "Can you believe what he has been doing to us?  The direction this guy is taking us in is pathetic.”  “Yes,” Batman replies.  “It’s quite clear that he has no idea what he is doing; he doesn’t know what is best for us, or for Gotham City.”  “I almost feel like I should write this story myself,” Robin counters.  “I would do a much better job than he ever will."  At this point, Alfred speaks up.  He says, “Sirs, please.  You must not speak this way.  The writer cares for you both a great deal.  Trust him.  He knows what he is doing.  In the end, I have little doubt that he will make all things right.”  And, indeed, in every Batman story I wrote, justice, righteousness, and good prevailed.’

Kevin

Honoring Dr. King

Every January, we honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Rightly so.  What a legacy!  I have a plaque that has this quote from him: “The time is always right to do what is right.”  But I think what is often overlooked is Dr. King was a Baptist minister who had a love for the Bible, and he was clearly impacted by its message. 

For example, many quote from Dr. King’s famous 1963 speech “I have a dream”; and his vision was for a day when his children “will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”  Powerful words, to be sure.  Interestingly, soon after those words, he stated:

“I have dream today that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”  This is a direct citation from the book of Isaiah chapter 40, verses 4 and 5.  And Dr. King continued, “This is our hope.  This is the faith I go back to the South with.  With this faith, we will be able to hew out the mountain of despair a stone of hope.”

(https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety

It was fun looking online at some of the wise words from this man.  I could write a whole blog on just his quotes.  For instance, he once remarked, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  I love this one: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” 

Here’s one to chew on for a while: “We must develop the capacity to forgive.  He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.”  Or, given the fact that he only lived to the age of 39, here’s a rather eerie one: “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”  One last quote: “I have a decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear” (all quotes from https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/martin-luther-king-jr-quotes)

Kevin

"A thousand hallelujahs, and a thousand more"

Happy New Year, reader!  I’m blessed to be able to share my heart with you for another year.  For this inaugural blog of 2023, I want to begin with an illustration that you’d expect from me – from the world of superheroes.

There’s a memorable story in the animated series “Justice League Unlimited”.  In part 2 of an exciting time-travel story titled “The Once and Future thing” an unforeseen meeting occurred.  Batman, thanks to some time travel craziness, actually meets himself as an old man!  In this incarnation, Bruce grew too old to wear the cape and cowl; instead he mentored Terry McGinnis – the Batman of the future.  In the episode, Terry manages to take the wackiness in stride, and he makes the introduction: “Batman, Bruce Wayne; Bruce Wayne, Batman.  Or have you met?”

This came to my mind when I recently had the opportunity to chat with someone that I used to know, but I have not seen in nearly 20 years!  Quite frankly, seeing this person was a shock; absorbing this encounter, in a sense, made me see myself back almost two decades ago now.  And that set my mind down a road that I could go on and on and on about. 

First off, somebody is going to be confused, so let me state definitively that my Batman illustration breaks down.  For instance, I do not think of myself as an aged Bruce Wayne.  That said however, I do have to acknowledge that I’m not a young buck anymore, either.  But with age has come clarity; I am more comfortable in my skin today.

Once again, I can’t possibly address everything I’d like to cover (honestly, I feel like I could write a lengthy academic paper right now).  For instance, if I had the space, energy, and time, I would reflect on how life feels like it is moving too fast.  I would go on to speak about how the people who said life is short, were absolutely right.  But even still, each passing day is an amazing gift to cherish.  Because, through losing important people to me, I’ve learned a hard truth: tomorrow is not a given.  Life is a gift that is extremely fragile.

Further, this whole experience makes me consider my own legacy.  The fact is, 20 years ago, I wanted to point to the great God of the universe; today, I still want to point to Him.  Somebody wants me to ask and answer this question: why?  Why not boast and broadcast myself instead?  Because to point to myself would be futile; I’m just a flawed, imperfect man.  It’s far better to boast in the Lord.  It’s better to boast in His goodness, grace, mercy and love.  Psalm 115:1 has been my heart cry for many, many years now.  It says, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your Name, goes all the glory” (NLT). 

Writing this content today has been interesting.  Once again, I could have covered so many more subjects than I did.  Perhaps in the coming days I will bring some of them up.  But for today, rather than compose an essay, let me just begin to wrap this up.  I love the song “A Thousand Hallelujahs” by Brooke Ligertwood (also known by her maiden name Brooke Fraser.)  “With a thousand hallelujahs, we magnify Your name; You alone deserve the glory, the honor, and the praise.  Lord Jesus, this song is forever Yours.”  I quoted these lyrics for this final line: “A thousand hallelujahs, and a thousand more.”  This resonates with me; over the years I’ve probably lifted up a thousand hallelujahs to God, but what I’m so thrilled about is I intend to lift up a thousand more!  Because He is worthy of it all!

Kevin