FROM THE PASTOR
July 30, 2017
Last week was a quiet week, this week was a challenging week. Saturday, that is a week ago yesterday, we discovered that our hot water heater had decided to retire. Last Monday, I was mowing the lawn and the transmission on my lawn tractor decided to make a sound simulating a heavy metal band. And then Tuesday our air conditioning went out. Not much I could do about any of this myself so naturally, I went fishing. After all, I learned a long time ago that fretting about what “might be” is a waste of time and … never really changes anything anyways.
Just as I expected… after a new hot water heater was installed, and 1 ½ pounds of Freon added to the air conditioner both work fine now, and the tractor, well, the tractor is working okay at a slow speed (which is now my new ‘favorite speed’). For now, all seems to be back to normal. In all this I’ve gained a new appreciation that not a single breakable item will go with me when my Father calls me home to heaven. Won’t heaven be a wonderful place!
Looking back, I’m honestly not sure how people with no relationship with God put one foot in front of the other. Critics call our special relationship with God ‘enabling’. I say, “So?” They try to make us feel as if being enabled by God is a bad thing. That somehow, we are inadequate for allowing it and we ought to be ashamed of it. This all makes sense when we recognize that they just don’t and in fact can’t comprehend it because they don’t know what a true love relationship is.
If, in fact God is an enabler, then He enables me to see each tomorrow with new fresh eyes. If God is an enabler, then He enables me to walk through trials knowing I am not alone. If God is an enabler, then He enables me to love even the most difficult. And if God is an enabler, He enables me to know I have solid purpose in this life and purpose isn’t just for the moment but for all eternity.
The dictionary defines ‘enable’ as ‘giving a person permission or the authority to do something’. “Enabler’ is defined as ‘one who enables another to reach an end.’ That sure seems to fit my God. Especially when you read what the Holy Spirit enabled Habakkuk to write:
Habakkuk 3:19 (NASB)
19 The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.
Consider that verse for a moment. “The Lord God is my strength”. He doesn’t just simply give is strength… HE IS OUR STRENGTH. He chooses to not just ‘provide’, He chooses to ‘participate’.
“He has made my feet like hind’s feet.” A hind is a female deer that can place her back foot exactly where her front foot has just vacated. Not one inch off. She can do this while walking or running. This allows her to navigate even the most treacherous and dangerous terrain confidently. This is how the Holy Spirit led Habakkuk to describe what God has done for us.
“And He make me to walk on my high places.” Listen, I know it will take a conscious step of faith. But the next time you’re faced with a difficult situation, stop, look around and see the high places God has brought you to. High places that he has personally ENABLED you to navigate.
Thank You for your faithfulness! Pastor Larry
