Just Around the Bend

 You have probably heard the phrase, "One of those days." I have had one of those weeks. Trials. Challenges. Multiple things have interrupted my prayer times. One set back after another. I got up this morning to keep my routine. I rode the Peloton. Cooked breakfast. Showered and dressed. I headed out the door with a full agenda for the day. I was surprised when the car did not start. The battery was completely dead. There were no warning signs. It worked just fine the day before. This morning nothing. It would not turn the engine over. 

It is standing joke around here after I preached through James to say, "Count it all joy." I cannot say that was my first thought. I called one of our deacons who came over and jumped the battery off. I immediately headed to the store to purchase a new one which had not been on my agenda. I was forced to whittle my agenda down and just roll with the set back. It has been one of those weeks filled with bad news on top of other bad news. It has not just been one of those days. It has been one of those weeks. You have had them too. 

After dealing with the hassle of getting a new battery, I decided to treat myself to lunch at my favorite restaurant. It was early and nobody else was in the place but the workers. Not long after, I saw two familiar faces. Tim and Brenda who are part of worship team came in. We exchanged greetings and Brenda walked by my table and snagged my ticket. She told me to be blessed and not to rob them of the joy of giving. Just like that God reminded me that even during one of those weeks He is still there. Tim and Brenda seldom get to eat lunch together because of their work schedules. I normally eat lunch in the office. God orchestrated the timing and the place to arrange that appointment. I graciously received the blessing and thank God for the reminder that He is still there and He is still working. 

You may be in the middle of one of those weeks. Everything seems against you. You barely get through one trial before you are blindsided by another one. The temptation is to doubt God. According to John 5:17 He is always working. We just can't always see it. He has surprised me with His presence and power during those trying weeks over and over again for the past forty years. No matter what my eyes tell me, I choose to listen to the voice of truth. I choose to trust in the unseen, unstoppable, and undisputed Creator God. He is faithful. It is His nature. [I Thess 5:24] He can't be anything but faithful. He is also Almighty. There are no hard tasks for Him. All things are possible with God. [Matt 19:26]

One of the fascinating things about walking with God is you never know when He is going to show up in adverse circumstances and do something astounding. I have seen it over and over again. So many times when I was at my wits end, God showed up and showed off. In one simple move today He reminded me one of those weeks can turn into miraculous days we treasure for the rest of our lives. Let us hang on and press on until we see God flip the script. One of those weeks will eventually come to an end. Better days are ahead. He awaits us just around the bend.