Chapter 2: "You Might Not Finish This Chapter"
>> Monday, March 29, 2010
What is your response to Chan's writtings about the fragility of life and today not being just another, normal day? Can you relate to what Chan wrote about "justified stress"? What did God speak to you in this chapter? Chan refers to James' writtings in chapter 4, "Why, ou do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (4:13-14). What stirred in your heart as you read the stories of Stan and/or Brooke, as their lives here on earth were cut shorter than we would have expected?
4 comments:
At first I was kind of taken back by the theme of the chapter. Probably because it's not a topic any of us like to deal with. Who really wants to think about their own death and worse yet, to think of it happening at any time. I know I have fleeting moments when it dawns on me just how fragile life is and how many times a day God intervenes to keep me here another day. Just last week, a deer ran out in front of the car while I taking the kids to school. At first I thought it was cool, because I had time to react and be safe, and I pointed it out to the kids. About that time five more deer shot across the road and I had to slam on the brakes. Needless to say, I said a quick prayer of thanks and drove the rest of the way to school with my heart beating out of my chest. At those moments I'm reminded of how I am a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
However, the more I read, the more God spoke to my heart. He wasn't reprimanding me or chastising me for forgetting how precious life is, but rather speakly gently to me that every moment is important. How many moments do I spend worrying about things or stressing about things? I know I do not "rejoice in the Lord always" and I'm always anxious about something. Chan wrote on pg. 41 that "when I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about my life, my family, and my job-I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice." Outch!
Just this morning I felt like I had justified stress when I got a call from my son's school that he was sick and needed to go home. I actually cried and argued with God about why my family can't get well. There was no rejoicing, there was no looking to God for help, there was only anger, frustration, and tears.
I loved on pg. 44 when he said "you need to get over yourself." Pretty harsh words but exactly what I needed to hear. This life is not about me but about Him and my life should point to Him. I'm a control freak which is silly because God is in control. I think sometimes he just sits in heaven and laughs at me while He waits for me to figure out that I can't do it by myself. I'm so thankful He's always ready to help once I've gotten out of the way!
The stories of Stan and Brooke were so amazing and so convicting. What am I doing and how am I living my life to draw others to Him? These stories left me with much to think about.
I think that one of the videos that I had watched on Chan's www.crazylovebook.com site made me start thinking about how the day is not normal. Every day is filled with complete miracles, never "just another day". I am working on stopping to notice that and allow myself to be amazed at those miracles.
I am with Julie on not feeling like God is criticizing us with the message that life is just a vapor. I felt Him speaking to me a gentle reminder to take every opportunity that He gives me, to live each moment with the fullness of the joy that He provieds and wants for us, to fight for that joy. I also felt in the discussion of "just a vapor" the message of....in just a vapor, we will be with Him! I love the life that He has given me and He has poured overwhelming amounts of blessing over my life, but that was refreshing to me....to know that in just a vapor, I will be literally standing before him in awe and worship.
I can easily relate to what Chan wrote about "justified stress". There are times when I catch myself thinking, "but this is really big"....it doesn't matter. It may be a "big problem" but God is immeasureable, much bigger than any problem that I might have. I need to keep my focus on Him, dispite my temporary situation, and make sure that He is being glorified through me.
I thought that the stories of Brooke and Stan were amazing. What better way to pass than while you are sharing Jesus with others and really making a difference. I think that the most powerful thing to me was that Brooke was able to be used to impact hundreds of other lives, even after her death, just by the way that she had lived hers.
I wish that I could say that I treat each day as if it were my last but I don't. I get caught up in schedules and daily routines. Just continually exepecting that I will wake up each morning and to go on about "my" business. Well in all honesty God showed me that my life is not my own. He paid the ultimate price for me way back at Calvary! I want to live my life and sieze every moment as if it were my last. Sounds easier said than done, but if I continuously practice "Rejoicing in the Lord always" then it should not be a problem. However God knows we are not perfect and His grace will pick us back up whenever we fail. This life is too precious to live it day in and day out without allowing our lives to be a reflection of Him.
God showed me something extremely convicting on pg.42 when Chan wrote, "Both worry and stress reek of arrogance." Wow! I never really thought of that before. I worry and stress over just about everything and that makes me look prideful to God. He is BIG enough to take care of anything and everything in my life but I continually try to take the wheel until I literally fall apart in God's presecne. God must be up in heavan scratching His head, "I wish she would just sit back and let me drive". God forgive me of my arrogance!
What an amazing testimony Stan and Brooke both had. They lived their lives glorifing the King with a reckless abandonment. Brooke reminds me of myself when I was her age. I was the "Bible Club" girl in my junior high and high school days, but somewhere between there and now I have let that desire to reach people to burn out. My prayer is that God would rekindle that desire and that my life would always be a reflection of His love and mercy.
This chapter more than anything brought peace to me. I guess for most people it's probably an uncomfortable read. But death is something that I think about all the time. Not in a morbid way, but in a "life is fragile" way. I guess mostly because I've experienced much loss.
The part of the chapter that spoke most to me was when Chan was talking about fragility of life and our lack of control and he said, "Turning inward is one way to respond; the other is to acknowledge our lack of control and reach out for God's help."
A few years ago, I experienced a lot of anxiety with how fragile life is. To the point that I would have to talk myself into getting in the car because it terrifies me that people die in car accidents every day. Through a lot of prayer, I do better with that but it's still a struggle. Just ask my husband, he'll tell you how I have serious issues with panic in the car(mostly when I'm the passenger and I have no control).
Chan went on to say, "If life were stable I'd never need God's help. Since it's not, I reach out for him regularly. I am thankful for the unknowns and that I don't have control because it makes me run to God."
As for "justified stress" it seems like the past 9 months have been jam packed full of it! But over the past 9 months I have grown so much closer to God. God has a way of turning our justified stress into complete reliance. Praise Him for that!
Stan and Brooke's stories were amazing! Not just what they did in their lives to glorify God, but how God used their lives to bring Glory to His name!
Post a Comment