Last weekend I heard a very good message from Jentezen Franklin (who I highly recommend hearing… he has a church “Free Chapel” in Gainseville, GA and Irvine, CA). He enjoys using catch phrases to bring home his points and one of them was, “God can turn setbacks into setups.”
It struck a chord in me and I had full intentions of writing a commentary on it. You know… an impressive little piece of writing where everyone will go “oooh… ahhh”. Well, come Monday morning, I get a nice big wake up call from the Man upstairs to put my sorry butt back in its place. You guessed it; a setback that saw me seeing red. Now, Greg, go ahead and practice what you were going to preach.
After lifting my head humbly out from between my legs I think it better to just share my personal take on this setback/setup subject and leave it at that. I know, intellectually, that God has a plan and a purpose far greater than my poor myopic mind can perceive. We all live in the here and now while God exists on a completely different plane….one which is not limited or defined by time. Time is for our benefit, not for God’s necessity.
I need to remember God is ultimately in control whether I want Him to be or not. Circumstances can go every which way and cause elation or turmoil. The bigger picture, however, is unchanging and I need to rely on this truth and pray like the dickens for continued insight, guidance, and awareness of what God’s design truly is for my life.
This setback can, and will, pass with time and I’m certain I will look back at some point and realize, “Yup. You sure threw me for a loop, God… but now I get it.”
Greg Morton
© July 28, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
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5 comments:
After setback after setback and no strong relationship with God, I feel as if I've drifted too far to create a relationship. I feel as if there has been far too much turmoil for a God to exist to me. While a good friend did tell me once that God is just testing us with these trials, I can't help but feel why doesn't everybody get the same kind of trials equally. Why does is seem as though not everyone is going through trials equally as different as others. Furthermore, while your thoughts about setbacks and setups are beautiful and hopeful, after so many setups one can only hope that finally, or eventually he can can a setup too.
Dear eep!
Believe me, I understand the frustrations of going through things in life and why you get to the point of questioning God--or if there even is a God. Telling you that God has a bigger picture and a plan that we may not understand isn't much comfort when life seems to be going to crap.
I have to stand firm in my belief, however, that God really does love you and wants good things for you. This life isn't about good people getting the best in life and bad people paying for their actions. There really is no equity in the day to day circumstances we live through. I hold on to the truth that God is interacting and seeing how we respond...and if we will go to Him. Feel free to yell at Him, speak your mind, vent your frustrations.... just go to Him. I know that deep down in your soul you will have a "knowing" that He really is there. I can't explain away what trials you've encountered and I certainly can't explain why there is such injustice all around. For me, this is why I not just want--but need--to talk to God and pray for better understanding and rely on His timing.
I trust and pray that you will be able to find your way back to a meaningful relationship with God. Please know that He wants to hear from you regardless if you're angry, depressed, confused or any other feelings you have.
I'll be praying for you for encouragement this week.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
I know that life isn't about the good being rewarded and the bad punished. I've seen the opposite happen many a times. While shortcomings and setbacks are plentiful, it isn't quite what keeps me from believing as much as my pride is reluctant to rest its head in an idea that hasn't done much to reciprocate love. And I'm sure He has because I am alive and in good health, but after growing in an environment that didn't encourage a relationship with God; I feel like I wouln't even know how to go about saying Hello.
Have you ever read "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger?" it's a pretty short read that answered most of my questions, but now that I'm stepping up to the plate I don't know where to begin.
I get the sense you’ve had a relationship with God in the past and, if so, revisiting that relationship is quite similar to any other that has become estranged over time. If you were to rekindle a long, lost relationship with someone in your past, what would you do? Write a letter… call them up… email them? The first step is generally a proactive one and talking to God is no different. It may feel awkward at first, but I believe in my heart that He will make Himself known to you somehow, in some way.
I’ve been amazed at how God has made himself evident to me over the years. Although not a burning bush or a booming voice from the sky, the circumstances always lent themselves to acknowledging that it was more than coincidence and me saying, “Yep, that’s God intervening alright.”
I don’t know how God will speak to you or make Himself evident to you but if you have enough faith to talk to Him, believing that He’s listening, I know He will touch you in ways you will be certain that He really is a personal God that cares about you.
Blessings!
p.s. I haven't read "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger" but I'll definitely check it out. Thanks!
Greg Morton
Your posts get me thinking every time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and suggestions :D
Daisy
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