(Read Jeremiah 29)
“I was pretty much in a Christian bubble until I was 18,” (J) said. “I played Sports and did all kinds of extracurricular activities and all these other things, but it was always with other Christians, other Christian Schools, or other churches. When I would hear sermons about witnessing to neighbors or friends or that type of thing, I would think, I don’t know anybody who’s not a Christian. And it was a bubble. Then, once I left for college, I was in a situation where 80% of my friends and peers were not.”
Christian bubbles can be mixed blessings. We love the comfort of being surrounded by others who believe what we do, but sometimes it’s too safe, and we’re not always tested when inside them. (J) added, “I’ve seen it backfire many times, even among the kids that I grew up with. They can go off the deep end, and usually it’s because they’ve never had to struggle with their beliefs and make them theirs. When they do encounter opposition or struggle, and someone asks them why they believe what they believe, they don’t know, and then it all crumbles.”
And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];
Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)
The goal of the Christian life is to know Christ and to become more like Him. It is not about our own accomplishments or our own righteousness — it’s all about Him. As we grow in our walk with Christ, we experience His power and His grace. We also must be willing to suffer for His sake and to die for our own sin and selfishness. Knowing God more fully is not just having a head knowledge of Christ; it means experiencing His love and grace in our own lives, being transformed by His presence, and following His lead with our next steps.
“I was a Pastor’s kid,” (J) continued. “I don’t remember a time that I wasn’t in church because there wasn’t a time that I wasn’t in church. The church doors were open. I always knew about God, I always knew that Jesus loved me.” Wow, I thought. That took me a while to figure out. (J) said, “I’d been thinking about asking Jesus into my life for a long time. The Holy Spirit, or God, has been pricking my conscience since I was young. We had a burn barrel for trash, and my older brother and his friend would grab the little flames of trash that go up in the air with their hands, and it would fizzle out. I thought that was really cool, so I went to extinguish one with my hands, except it was a Styrofoam cup, and it stuck to my hand while burning and melting on my hand. I remember sitting in the ER waiting for the doctor, and my Dad asked me, ‘That was really hot, wasn’t it? Can you imagine what hell might be like?’ I replied that it would suck pretty bad. I made the decision that day, and I think that the Lord had been leading me up to that point, and all I needed was someone to ask me.”
Like so many others I’ve talked with, (J) claimed he didn’t have a life-altering testimony that changed everything the next day. “But I can very easily project what my path might have been if I had not accepted Christ as my Savior and how things could have gone later in life. Even if I embarked on the same career, it could have been very different than it was,” he added.
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
C.S. Lewis
“As humans, when things are going great, we say, ‘I don’t need God’ – everything’s going good. We might still do our devotions, prayers, and things like that, but the desire for a close, daily relationship often isn’t there.”
I met (J) through a mutual church friend who suggested we get together to talk about our faith. After the first few minutes, it felt like we had known each other for a long time, yet despite the many worldly differences in our lives, it was obvious we shared the same passion and calling of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
“So at times in my life, whether I was going through the difficulties of Army Ranger school or being deployed, or whether it’s through kids’ sicknesses, those were times when God has reminded me that, ‘Hey (J), you think you’re in control? It’s all an illusion.’ Those are times when God says, ‘I’m the one who’s in control, and you really need to look to me for answers in good times and bad times.’”
In our conversation, I shared one of the most peaceful yet powerful experiences I have had with God in a long time. It was on a run along a scenic stretch of the 13-mile-long trail north of Denver, Colorado. God was speaking to me clearly, and I was listening for once. (J) said he knows of the trail and described a similar, more impressive “12-hour walk” he does while communing with God.
“One of my friends encouraged me to take a couple of note cards and a pencil on my walk to write down anything I hear God telling me. It was an interesting, unique experience, and I kept the card because of the things that came to mind that I think were from God. At the beginning, I just heard this sentence, ‘She will be Okay.’”
(J)’s wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2015. “She wasn’t supposed to live, but she went into remission,” he said. “I thought, hey, it took the woman with blood issues 12 years before Jesus healed her.” Changing his tone, (J) said, “But at that time, she was out of remission, and her numbers were going back through the roof again. The cancer had come back, and it was active, so there was no reason for me to hear that or believe what I heard on my walk. Then, three months later, her numbers started coming down again. She’s back in remission now, and it seems she’s doing well again. That was kind of a powerful experience there.” I’d say so!
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
This verse is from the longest chapter in the Book of Psalms and is known for its focus on God’s Word and guidance. God’s Word can guide us through the challenges and uncertainties of life. It can give us wisdom and discernment, and it helps us to make decisions that are pleasing to God. The lamp provides us with light to see where we are going, and the light helps us to avoid obstacles and make good choices.
We laughed about the joke, “Want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” We laughed because it’s both funny and true. I asked (J) if he feels that God has lifted them out of the darkness or if He’s guiding them through it.
“We’ve been in some sort of a valley for eight years with my wife’s cancer. It’s changed our lives, and it’s one of those clubs that you never want to be part of, but we have learned a lot, grown a lot, and had to depend on the Lord a lot. For parts of the journey, I would not say that He lifted us out of the darkness, but He has guided us through it, which is why I like the verse in Proverbs, which talks about the word of God being a lamp into our feet.”
“This morning, while on a hike, I had a headlamp on and I could see far out, but with a lamp that you would carry, you really can only see the next few steps. So, that verse reminds me that God is not necessarily going to tell you what the end looks like or what the end of the path is, but if you carry the lamp, you’ll see what the next step is. In our dark times, God has been more of a lamp rather than lifting us out of the darkness.”
God’s next steps for (J)’s family put an end to his 26 years of service in the Army. “So, in 2015, while living in Kentucky, my next assignment was going to be a prestigious military school in England. Our whole family was going to be moving to England! We had lived in Europe before, and we were all excited. Then she was diagnosed with cancer, and obviously, we didn’t want to be in England anymore. Since I was in a place in my career where I could influence my assignments, I told leadership that in the event the worst would happen, we wanted to be around family in Colorado.”
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Moses spoke to the people of Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. He knew of the challenges and obstacles they would face, but he also knew that God was with them. The LORD, our God, is the one who always goes with us. This is the most important part of the verse. God is always with us, no matter where we go or what we are facing. He is our guide and our protector. This verse underscores the intimate presence and guidance of God in the lives of the Israelites and in all believers.
After his retirement, (J) transitioned to becoming VP of Development Services at Young Life —a Christ-centered ministry that helps kids know, grow, and serve Jesus, as well as an Executive Coach who helps transition military members into civilian life. “I have no idea what that other path would have been, but it wouldn’t have been this.” (J) dropped a bomb on me, “What would life be like if I had designed my life? It wouldn’t have been as good as what the Lord has provided for me.”
Both (J) and his wife have stacks of prayer (burst) cards sitting near their favorite chairs. “For me, there is comfort in knowing that I’m not in control. There is nothing I can do here; worrying and reading isn’t going to help. Just realizing that God’s in control is somewhat of a relief that takes that burden off our shoulders. How can I fix this? How can I make it better? What can I do?”
At the end of our discussion, I told (J) that I believe people know you’re a Christian by the way you live, by your walk, by your actions, and by what you say. I told him he is such a great testimony. Humbly, he replied, “I had reached a place in my Christian life where I felt I plateaued even though I was still doing Bible studies and involved in church and leading youth. Working with Young Life has given me a boost of Christian and spiritual energy by being challenged, learning new things, and seeing the Lord work in new ways again. This probably wouldn’t have happened if I had gone some other path.”
“I know what the ultimate end story is. Ironically, our small group is reading the Book of Revelation, and our tagline is we win! Everyday life, whether the war, the famine, the earthquakes, hail, or whatever, can be discouraging, but knowing that God is allowing this, we also know that He is ultimately in control. He has a plan, and the ultimate plan at the end of the story is we win. If you don’t have that point of view, life can be pretty hopeless.”
(J)’s Dad and Grandfather were Pastors, although he doesn’t seem like your typical PK. (J) told me that His Grandfather would always sign everything he wrote with the following passage, which is God’s way of saying we Win!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Key Applications:
- Trust in God’s plan, even when you don’t understand it. God knows what is best for you, and He is working all things together for your good. Focus each day this week confirming your trust in Him.
- Don’t give up hope. Remember that God has a good plan for your life. He will see you through your trials and tribulations.
- Stay focused on Jesus. He is the source of your hope and strength. Look to Him for guidance and wisdom. Ask Jesus for hope and strength when you pray
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.