Flexibility Chasing Me

I am a person who thrives on routine.  I do best when there is a strict routine that is followed exactly.  I like a set routine.  Do you get the idea?  Now we all know that life ALWAYS has changes.  They come flying at you causing you to be a flexible person.  I do not think I am gifted with flexibility. Therefore for me life can be so challenging. I am reminded about learning to be flexible as a part of maturity.

I am continually confronted with life situations that need me to be flexible.  If I am to function in life I must learn to be flexible.  It is time to wake up and know that life will not always go like I want it to go.  I must learn to take my plans more lightly and be joyful about putting my plans aside and embracing the change.

I am finding out that sometimes the change brings difficult things.  But sometimes the change may even make a trip for tea and a donut at Tully’s  an option.

God's Miracles

My dad preached about miracles Sunday.  It got me thinking.  I really like to define my miracles.  I ask God to heal my autism, to heal friends, to get visas, to provide more money or food or goods I think I need.  Then I am prepared to sit back and wait for it all to work out just like I asked.  What a spoiled child of God I am!  Who do I think I am?

I am thinking I need to ask God to open my eyes to see His miracles.  They may not look like I imagine them.  They may not meet my definition.  I am seeing that each day I rise up healthy is a miracle.  At the end of the day I survived the day as an autistic man without a meltdown.  That is miraculous.  Perhaps it is as much a miracle to live with autism in peace as it is to be healed.  Maybe I need to concentrate on asking for the miracle to maintain my solid faith as I walk through the trials of life.  Rather than asking for God to do a miracle and change my circumstances, perhaps I need to ask God for the miracle of godly contentment no matter the circumstance.  So while my circumstance may not change, my heart will change.  And of course that is a greater miracle.

My Challenge

One of my ministries is to participate in The Hallelujah Gospel Family.  This is a network of gospel choirs spread throughout Japan.  In addition to participating in the choir at my local church, I also write a short evangelistic message introducing one of the songs in the repertoire for the term.  This is published in a booklet each member receives with the song lyrics.  I have been doing this for several years, and the members of my choir enjoy reading it. 

Earlier this month our family was ministering in a church with no pastor about an hour from here.  My dad had me give a brief testimony.  When the service was done a lady came up to my dad holding her Gospel Choir booklet and said, “Is it really him?”  She had the page open to my writing.  My parents assured her I was really the writer.  She then shared how her choir had all been moved to tears upon reading my message.  She then went around the room showing others in the church my written message. I was encouraged to know people are reading it.  However, as I pondered this I was again challenged to write my messages to stimulate the hearts of those who are not yet Christ followers to plunge into faith.  Lord, help me a good steward of this gift You have entrusted to me!

Spiritual Up and Running

Of late I am having a great time in my personal devotions as we read through the Bible. We do it every year but it is not boring.  This year I am seeing how I often get great concepts from my reading.  Things I need to implement in my daily life.  AND there is  the problem.  How can I consistently get what I know in my head to be in my heart, and working.  How to get it up and running.  With a computer, you push a button and if you push the right set of buttons, you are up and running.  Spiritual life is different.  There are no buttons.  It takes much thought and energy to keep the focus where it needs to be.  No sliding by!  I cannot do this! God is steadfast, and keeps pulling me into account. So implementation requires me to go deeper into God, and know him.  More God, less Jeffrey works well.

That Big Bag of Expectations

This week I got to go to my sister’s house for the day.  We had some work to do for her so we went.  I always get excited about seeing her and go with a whole sac of expectations about the time.  I know in my head my expectations are unreasonable, but each time I go I pack up those expectations and drag them along with me.  Then, rather than enjoying my time, I am frustrated because my expectations are not being met.  So, I get to pack up my disappointment for the trip home.

This time I tried to focus on what we were doing, and enjoying that.  I tried to be more flexible.  So when a disaster in the kitchen delayed and changed the breakfast plan, I prayed, and waited without being obnoxious.  When the dog tried to sit on me, I was patient, and nudged her in a different direction.  When Mom and Abi went shopping for clothes Abi needed, I did not get mad, but prayed they would find what was needed.  When lunch was not to my time schedule, I waited and prayed for no disasters. 

At the end of the day the work was accomplished, and I was happy.  I had a pleasant day with my sister, and I experienced little frustration.  It was a good time.  I could thank the Lord for a good time.  Next time I do not have to carry the heavy bag of expectations when I go.  Thus the heavier bag of disappointment also is not on my back. 

Now, to remember this and do it!

Learning Obedience

A few years ago after the huge triple disaster in Japan, a team of Brazilian soccer players came to Japan to help recovery efforts.  These team members came for a bigger purpose, however.  They came to deliver the love of Jesus.  Yes, they were Christians intent on doing an act of obedience to the Lord.  They were men and women of faith.  They came at great cost to themselves.  Some were poor; others had wealth.  They all had Jesus. 

One day I got to ride the bus with them.  It is an experience I will always remember and cherish.  I was able to sit in the midst of these mighty men of God, and share in their passion for the Gospel.  Most were young and still finding their path in life.  They were a large team and it took much work to facilitate this event here in Japan.  Many contacts were made as a result of this team.  However, they could not point to any definite decisions or salvations from this trip. I think they were disappointed a bit. 

Six years later what do we see?  There have been decisions in people who attended the events involved in this team.  My family and I have made two trips to minister in Brazil.  We have friends in Brazil.  But what about the team?  Life has gone on with them. Some got married, some had babies.  Some became less passionate in faith.  To me, however, it is exciting to see some involved in ministry, and best of all some becoming missionaries.  It reminds me that the biggest work accomplished in that team was in their own hearts.  Learning obedience to the Master.  I view them as mighty men of God.  I pray we will always strive to be mighty men of God for His glory!

Windy Day Faith

Today is a windy, windy day.  Things are blowing around outside.  Shudders and windows clatter in the assault.  I see dust in the air and who knows what else.  Then Dad says time to run.  I think, “I am sure the noise of the wind made it sound like he wants to run now.  It must be a mistake.”  But, alas, it is no mistake.  We are getting ready for a run or is it a fly?  We get all put together and open the door to a blast of cold air and off we go.  I am not sure about this.  Will I survive?  I have no idea, but Dad says let’s go so I go. 

Hmm ... kind of like walking by faith with Jesus day by day.  Danger is everywhere.  I can imagine such terrible things that could happen to me.  But Jesus says, “Come now and walk with me,” so I go.  That is the walk of faith.  Leave it to Jesus.  He knows best, so trust Him and obey!