Recently, I had a chance to take an extended vacation (hard to pull off for pastors) and drive to the Cooperstown Dreams Park National Invitational Tournament in Cooperstown, NY.
Much like the National Baseball Hall of Fame for Major League baseball players, each participant, upon induction, receives the coveted American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame ring and officially becomes one of the Cooperstown Dreams Park Little Majors. The Kodak photo of each player with his teammates is affixed to the Commemorative Induction Plaque for future enshrinement on the walls of the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. Our family will cherish this moment for the rest of our lives!
(Congratulations to Indians for finishing 10th out of 104 teams)
While away, I had a chance to reflect on life in general and the Lord revealed several foundational shattering truths that I plan to share in subsequent blog posts. These truths challenged me to think about life in a different way and challenged long held beliefs that have become TRADITIONS.
I use to believe that life is a series of peaks and valleys – you go through a dark time and then you go to the mountaintop – criss-crossing back and forth. Our African-American Baptist tradition supports this view and encourages believers to praise God while you’re on the mountain and double your praise if you’re in the valley. We often hear a familiar colloquialism of the faith: “YOUR BREAKTHROUGH IS ON THE WAY.”
I NO LONGER BELIEVE THAT & HERE’S WHY…
The good that happens in life and the bad that happens run on parallel tracks. At all times you either have something good AND something bad in your life – BOTH OCCURING SIMULTANEOUSLY!
In case you haven’t figured it out, life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one, or you’re getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; He’s more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that’s not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ-likeness. Sometimes it takes bad situations to make that happen.
What’s your take?
great post bro. i like the 'parrallel' tracks reference.
Milan…thanks bro & by the way – I love your site (who designed it). I can’t wait til your book drops. I know it’s going to be an interesting read.
thanks man. really appreciate it.
(fyi >> i designed the site >> took a while!)
I like the analogy and the visual picture the parallel tracks paint. To me the statement that captures the dilemma is, “In case you haven’t figured it out, life is a series of problems: ” Once we realize that just because we have Christ it is not a license to rest on our “blessed assurance” (another baptist saying) but to be active in seeking and perpetuating the message of Christ. I often say we have “wilderness” experiences. Like the Israelites we see the move of God in our lives but soon forget and begin to grumble and complain, blame leaders and erect our own God’s to suit our needs. Until we figure out life is a series of problems we may spend lots of time wandering before we can walk into our blessings.
Hey Lowell…thanks for the post & for adding value! Believers amaze me when they think that they'll meander through life problem-free. Jesus said, "in this world you will have trouble…" If Jesus had problems, we can expect the same.
Pastor Stowers:
You’re on point! I have explained this to folk on a continual basis, including my children. Problems are a part of life. God did not make you an exception to his other children. Life is full of issues. Work through the issue at hand and keep on smiling. File the complaints in the sub-basement. No one wants to hear all those complaints. I’ve often told my children – I don’t like whiners.