not somehow. . . but victoriously Luke 12.54-57
9/22/2009 2:13:21 PM
Scripture Reading:  Luke 12.54-57 Good Morning. It was long ago and far away in another galaxy, no--not really. . . it was about 21 years ago, and my world fell apart.  I had two beautiful little children from what was probably an ill-advised marriage, but was now a single mother, and felt like I had my finger and my thumb in the shape of an  "L" on my forehead.


Scripture Reading: Luke 12.54-57


Good Morning.


It was long ago and far away in another galaxy, no--not really. . . it was about 21 years ago, and my world fell apart. I had two beautiful little children from what was probably an ill-advised marriage, but was now a single mother, and felt like I had my finger and my thumb in the shape of an "L" on my forehead. Many days, it seemed like I eked out my existence, as all my fears came alive in the evening when I put their little curly heads to bed. And then one day, Something woke me up, and got my attention, and helped to change my course. We were feeding the ducks at the park, and I marveled about how cute Matthew and Amy were, and then it hit me--I was in grave danger of sleepwalking through their cutest, sweetest years because I was in such turmoil. Yes, Something got my attention, and I knew I had to change my viewpoint from "Somehow. . .to victoriously." 'Yes, that's right, I am a woman of faith, where did it go? I don't want to 'get by' somehow, I want to live life victoriously. . . regardless of my circumstances!' That is our choice, you know. But it is impossible to truly choose victorious living without choosing the Victor--the One who knows how the story ends. Often the Story Teller uses events in our lives as signposts to say, "Hey, look up here! Look to Me. . ."


Signs.

unknown.tiffThe freeway sign reads: THIS IS THE CITY OF ANGELS. WHY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE HERE? An image from the movie L.A. Story, in which Steve Martin gets direction for his life from freeway signs. Clever, to say the least.


In our passage today, Jesus is telling the people that while they are quite astute in reading the weather signs, because their agrarian existence depended on it, they were failing to see the signs of the coming kingdom of God...even though He had given them plenty of signs. Sometimes, God uses events in our lives as signposts. They are times when God visits us--and we have a choice--to see Him, or not. Sometimes, in crises, people will bargain with God, saying things like, 'if you help me get out of this one, I'll believe in you for the rest of my life!' or 'please, heal my wife--then I'll follow you'- Get out of your jam, and life goes back to normal. God? Forgotten.


Sign, sign, everywhere a sign - Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind - Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Now, hey you, mister, can't you read? You've got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat You can't even watch, no you can't eat

You ain't supposed to be here The sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside Ugh!

And the sign said, "Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray" But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all, I didn't have a penny to pay So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own little sign I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me. I'm alive and doin' fine." 5 Man Electrical Band


Theology from a rock song. . . the dude recognized the signs and responded. In the midst of my pain, I recognized the sign--do you want to just 'get by' or live victoriously, regardless of your circumstances? "Door Two, please." Yeah, I guess I know far too many people who practice victim mentality instead of choosing to be an overcomer. Signs, if we read them right, have a way of pointing us to God. "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me. I'm alive and doin' fine."


Later, Christine