I had one of those moments this morning. It was of no real consequence, and yet it made me stop and think – and pray, for many of you.
After dropping my mother off at the dentist near East Ridge Presbyterian, I headed back toward I-75 on Ringgold Road to go to Erlanger East to see my doctor. Having 45 minutes to kill I decided to go back to the car wash in East Ridge near the tunnel. Since I was almost at I-75 I decided to get on, head north, go west on I-24 and get off at the 4th Street exit, go through the ER tunnel and end up at the car wash. (Please, I’m not looking for someone to suggest to me a better route.)
But when I got to the tunnel, it was closed for repairs. It was too late to weave my way up over the ridge, so I went back to 4th Street, got on I-24 and drove to Erlanger East.
There was a time in my life when this would have frustrated me. But not this time. Instead, it provoked me to pray for many of you – many who are facing circumstances far more significant and challenging than a closed tunnel.
For some of you, it’s like you’re driving around in circles attempting to reach your desired location where you hope to see matters of terrible importance resolved and set right. And time and again, as you near your desired location, you encounter a road block. So you turn around and head in yet another direction, experiencing deep frustration, paralyzing fear, and overwhelming exhaustion. It seems as if time is running out. You find yourself asking, “What in the world is going on? Is Anyone One paying attention? Does Anyone care?”
Many of you know, theoretically, that God is working in and through your circumstances to accomplish His good purposes. More than simply paying attention, He is directing your steps, and cares deeply about you and the challenges you face.
But despite what you know, it doesn’t alleviate your frustrations and fears. At least not immediately.
So, what are you to do? First, tell God about your fears and frustrations. Cry out to Him. Tell Him what He already knows. Talk to your Father. Tell Him how overwhelmed you are by the circumstances of your life.
Second, trust in His sovereign purposes. Like the Psalmist, remember how He has cared for you. Remember the things He has done for you. Remember how He has worked in the past to accomplish in your life things which are of good and eternal value. And then rest in His love, confident that He cares for you.
Third, ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him for strength. Ask Him for the faith you need. Like me, you believe, but you need help with your unbelief.
Fourth, follow boldly whatever path is open to you. Do what you can. Do what you know is good and pleasing to Him.
Fifth, wait quietly upon Him. He’s there. Things are not out of control. In truth, all things are under His control. Things may not be as you would want, but they are what He has chosen for you at this moment in time. And only with the passing of time will you understand the answers to your questions.
This I know. He loves you with a love that will never let you go. And all things will work together to accomplish His good purposes for you. And His number one purpose, is to recreate you into an image bearer of Jesus – the Jesus Who prayed in the Garden, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
My car is still dirty. That doesn’t really matter. The circumstances you face are infinitely more significant. They do matter. They matter terribly. God knows. He cares. And in His time, He will accomplish more than you could ever ask or imagine.
Pastor Caines