Just 3 days now from leaving for Panama. This trip is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY outside my comfort zone, as least as far as the physical/camping/outdoorsy aspect is concerned. But, I am living proof that God can take a person with little earthly talent, a man of questionably average looks and much below average height, and put that person in unbelievably extraordinary circumstances to serve Him. God searches our hearts constantly to see if He can use us in these types of circumstances. I am flooded with joy and as he has found me faithful enough to call me to this mission in Panama.

 

So, what is "happiness"? Why do we chase it? Why are we willing to change just about anything in our life to get it? Why is it so elusive? Is life about being happy and continually trying to be happy? I don't think so.

Take a person we know about for an example. Think about the apostle Paul. Paul was constantly in conflict or escaping from or imprisoned by those who would try to shut down his ministry down. His life was not easy or comfortable by any stretch of the imagination. He was constantly in new and many times very uncomfortable situations. But, was he "happy?"

Look at Romans 12:12. Most people in Paul's shoes would be looking for a new line of work, one that paid better and offered a few more benefits and a lot less grief. But Paul tells us to "...Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction..." Even when Paul's circumstances of life were extremely difficult he was telling us to be joyful and patient. Why? Because these "afflictions" are temporary. Very difficult to deal with, and yes, I know, they have to be dealt with. But they are temporary nonetheless. I believe Paul's secret is that he focused nearly all his thought and energy on Jesus Christ, all the time. Yes, he still had to deal with everything he was going through, but I bet if you were to ask Paul what it was like having been in prison he would tell you about how God worked through the experience, not how much the shackles hurt or how little he had to eat. The circumstances were secondary.

I struggle with this just as much as anyone. But I think the goal as Christians is to live outside of our circumstances.How? Pray constantly and study the word (I mean study, not just casually read). With Christ as the most important thing in our life at ANY given moment, the circumstances will be difficult, but seem much less important. The need to be comfortable or happy will also seem less important, and certainly not worth constantly chasing it.

 

I am a little stressed. My air conditioner at home is on the fritz for the 2nd time in 2 months and the roof has developed 2 leaky spots. If only I had a sick dog and a broken down Chevy pickup...

In just 3 weeks my wife and I will be headed off to Panama on, what is quite possibly, the biggest adventure of our lives. We are excited, yet scared to death at the same time. We are trying to take care of last minute details, I am trying to finish writing these sermons and prepare bible studies. I will admit I am a little stressed. All the problems with the house just add to the complication and really try to take our mind off of what is important. Right now I need to TOTALLY focus on Christ and what he has me doing (getting ready for Panama), instead of letting these bad circumstances like leaky roofs occupy all my brain power (admittedly there is not much there to begin with).

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

 

What is life, really? Life here on earth many times seems pointless. It seems that life is nothing more than an endless series of circumstances, most of which are not pleasant. I think this is why the majority of people in this country spend large sums of time and money seeking more pleasurable circumstances (change jobs, change spouse, get more $ and fun 'things', etc.).

Think about it for a moment. Think about your day yesterday or today, or maybe pick a day from this past week. Think about the events of that day. I would be willing to say that most people would rate those events as anywhere from boring to horrible. Why is it that soooo many people are simply not happy. And what is "happy". Is happy synonymous with having no problems? Do we need to be "happy"? Why do we want so badly to be "happy"?

I think (just my opinion here) that most people equate being happy with being care free or having little to worry about, or at least having everything "under control". I know that is how my mind works. I admit that I sometimes find myself constantly fighting against the circumstances of life to get to the "happy" point, usually without success. And I've heard a person say that there was no hope of being happy because we can never overcome our circumstances, so we just have to wait it out until death - being a Christian this means the ultimate in better circumstances anyway (heaven).

So, it seems that if we could just get out from under the endless burden of life's poor circumstances...but why try, most of us will  never be able to do this on our own.

more to come on this...

 

Many months ago when faced with the opportunity to take a 1 week missions trip to Panama I was, admittedly, not all that excited. The church was heavy into our Mall Evangelism project and that was about all I could think about. However, after a bit of prayer I did realize that God was calling me to go to Panama.

Well, after a bit more prayer, after our Mall Evangelism closed out (very successfully I might add), and after a lot of thought, God completely changed my heart and my attitude about the trip. Once again, He has shown me that he is completely able and ready to use an average guy like myself to do amazing things **IF** I have the right attitude. In this case, simply seeking Him in prayer and thought fixed my attitude. I am extremely excited to tell the Panamanian people that Jesus Christ can change their life from the inside out and that they can know with certainty where they are headed after death.