So often the problem
is because of us, and our perceived hang-ups, not the problem itself.
Today I had a revelation- I am not nearly as
available to God as I should be.
As I sit in my warm cozy kitchen, on this snowy day
in February, I am making phone calls to my pest control customers. I tell them that due to the snowy conditions,
I won’t be out today. Often, no one
answers the phone. Then, in my best
professional voice, I recommend that they call the office at their convenience
and reschedule.
The next and final thing is to record that
information into my hand held computer for posterity. It is a big hassle then takes a few minutes,
but the last step is when I get to the customer’s signature page in which I
sign in big letters- UNAVAILABLE.
It was then that I had my revelation. How many time am I unavailable? Hmmmm, I wonder how many days, that if God
had a hand held computer He would be signing my name UNAVAILABLE as well.
This coming up week I am preparing to teach my
Sunday school class about the fiery furnace, the story about Shadrach, Meshach
and Abednego. Those guys were most certainly
available. They were held captive in a
foreign land, and to make long story short, were put in a no win situation.
When the trumpet blew, the king had made a rule that all bow down or else be
thrown into a blazing fire and die a horrible death.
Most of us, me included, would have tried to figure
a way out. Just take one knee, or crouch,
or something to fake it, like we were going along, but not really go along. It is in layman’s terms- the old half way solution to the problem. Not those three young men. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego simple choose
to stay on God’s side. It sounds as if they never really made a decision. They just stayed true to the One and only
living God.
Yes, they got tossed in a furnace so hot they should
have been incinerated instantly.
However, they did not burn up, but rather God sent and angelic being to
be with them. Of course, they also got released
and the King changed his stance on God.
But, all they really did was be available.
The life lesson is simple. When
trouble comes be found on God’s side. And well, whatever happens after that,
merely let the chips fall as they may.
To become available to
God all you have to do is remove the UN.
Swavel.
