Update #157 - Where Death and Disappointment Lead

“I will restore to you the years the locust has eaten…” Joel 2:25a

Sunset from my parents family room - Federal Way, WA

Overall, 2011 has not been my favorite year in life thus far; it has been marked by death. My aunt’s health failed in February, an alliance annulled in April, a decade deceased, a promising encounter (or two) exited…

With death comes disappointment – lost dreams, hopes, desires. I have had my fair share of loss, of denied (or so it appears) dreams, and delayed desires. I am forty and unmarried – need I say more?

This morbid train of thought ended with me ruminating about the disciples at the time of Jesus’ death (don’t ask me how I got here, couldn’t repeat the random thought links if I tried). How did they feel? The dream of Jesus on the throne – dead. The hope of the Roman domination ending – crushed. The desire of equality and Jewish unity – defeated. Add to that their mentor, teacher, rabbi , close friend and travelling companion of the last three years is DEAD. I can only imagine the heart anguish and mental angst they suffered.

But, they didn’t fully understand the plan.

Jesus had tried to explain it to them – but they didn’t get it. Jesus had told stories about what was going to happen, but they didn’t put it together. Jesus left clues all over the place but they didn’t recognize them for what they were. They missed it. How often do we miss God’s hints to us? How oft do we, while blinded by grief and pain, pass indicators of God’s involvement and care?

Death and disappointment are coupled with resurrection and hope in God’s Kingdom.

God PROMISES to repurpose all things for good; every hurt-filled situation, every death, every denied dream, every delayed desire – everything.

Every

Last

Thing

Caveat - you must trust him to redeem the situation for you vs. you taking action yourself. You have to surrender the situation to him, act when he says act, respond when he says respond, and move when he says move. In time, situations, dreams and desires are renovated, repaired and restored.

I speak from experience. A catastrophic ankle injury (at 22) eventually ended one career – but opened up a new world (at 34). The ten month closing period on my condo actually caused me to make vs. lose money. A blind date didn’t click with me but ended up being a great client for my boss…

I have areas awaiting resurrection. I have areas needing hope infusion (have mustard seed – need more); but I am standing in faith God will stay true to his character and word. He WILL renovate, repair, restore, redeem what I have lost. It may not appear alike, it may not be the experience I expected, and it may not appear when assumed; but, if I abide in him and watch for his clues I won’t miss what he has for me.

What areas of your past need redemption / resurrection / restoration? What keeps you from giving them to Jesus to project manage / mitigate for you? Where has death seemingly won out? What are you hoping for?

Updates:

Travel – I made it to Seattle for the week! I have missed the California sunshine, but have enjoyed spending time with my parents and a few close friends. I did spend one day on the couch sick with the flu but it was nice to be around mom when that happened!

Work – Two forums down two to go, training is almost finished and The Big Weekend retreat starts the 23rd. Brett returns from Nigeria soon, is speaking at an upcoming missions conference, and then he is off again to Canada, China and several other countries.

Personal – Dentistry insurance is on its way! I hope to get all the stuff needed to be done completed in October.

Requests:

Travel – Nothing confirmed but hopeful for several upcoming trips

Work – For upcoming forums and webinars (for good attendance and participation) http://inst.net/events/index.html. For The Big Weekend Retreat September 23-25 I am in charge of planning and execution – pray for open hearts, God’s presence and unity of spirit.

Personal – Blanche (my car), Mabel (Gareth and Linda’s car) are petering. They are holding in there but need more and more mechanical love and attention to keep them on the road. Please pray for new vehicles for us! We need more than two with the amount of traffic in and out of the Johnson household… we would like a floater car too for our guests to use when they arrive.

P.S. check out the latest social media - one spot stop for about.me.