“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!”
Ever had those words come out of your mouth? They have certainly come out of mine. Usually during some form of confrontation, especially as my voice is meant to dominate and drown out my adversary.
I’m a parent; I’ve been a teacher, coach, adviser, and have led committees. I’ve dialogued, debated, argued, defended and demanded.
My blood pressure, respiration, hormone levels have elevated, risen, maxed out and overloaded during those confrontations.
In some, my adversary has known exactly what buttons to push, in others he or she unknowingly triggered the time bomb.
2020 has provided ample opportunity to fuel the fire.
Most days, I step outside, take in a breath of eastern Colorado big sky air, face the sunshine (330 of 365 days a year), let the silence or low hum of my little community ease my thoughts and speak identity truth to myself. It unburdens my soul.
Jenny is the best at bringing me to that place - she is all those things to me - fresh air - sunshine - farm girl - and the perfect sounding board.
She has walked through the deepest valleys with me - choices I’ve made - health issues I’ve faced - places I’ve dragged her to and plans we’ve had to make.
When you have someone in your life that knows and provides truth in your life, life is better, though there is no promise of “easier.” The valleys are real; the tribulation of the world is real; the storms of our life in our bodies and souls are very real.
Jesus tells us: fix your eyes on me; build your life on my firm foundation; believe that I bear my rod and my staff (I’m armed) to comfort you and lead you.
Even though He says this and has impressed it on my soul and the proof of His faithful healing is evident in the scars all over my chest and abdomen, there are times my soul is shouting, “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!”
The deceiver has planted the seeds of destruction: disappointment, disillusion, hopelessness, anger and rage. And it is surfacing through my indignation, voice and actions - my soul refuses to be pacified.
Then, usually through Jenny but sometimes others, Jesus reminds me, “Jon, ‘the deceiver comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come to give you abundant life.’”
Let me amplify how Peter says it in 1 Peter 1:3.
For His divine power has given us [absolutely] everything necessary [required and suited] to life and godliness [peace in our souls], through the [full, personal, intimate] knowledge of Him [ the Life we have received from Him] Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence, virtue, honor and [Christ in us the hope of glory].
Why do we lean on scripture? - because it speaks truth into our lives - because it speaks strength into our lives and - because it speaks healing into our lives.
Proverbs 14:12 warns:
“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
Why would I want to rely on my own thinking when I have been given “the mind of Christ.” [1 Corinthians 2:16]
I’m thankful for Jenny constantly reminding me of these truths - I’m thankful to be surrounded by family and friends who do the same.
When tensions mount, arguments surface, headlines swirl and society is in full meltdown, “His grace is sufficient for me.” [2 Corinthians 12:9]