STILLNESS

I am a person who believes in action. If there is a problem, I want to solve it. I don't want to wait till tomorrow. In some cases that is a good thing. On other occasions I just make a mess of a situation.

I have had 3 bad years in a row; deaths, the economy, a loss of a job I enjoyed, health issues and no health insurance. I am underemployed and have serious financial problems. I have prayed and prayed. I have begged God and advised Him as to how I would like for my problems to be resolved.

My Sunday school teacher, Al, advised me to meditate on this scripture: Be still and know that I am God, Psalm 46: 10. I am not really a be still kind of person, but I agreed.

I remembered this being a specifically important passage, so I decided to the whole chapter of Psalm 46. This may sound strange, but while I was in my private Bible study, the words seemed to run together, to be garbled. I focused on verse 10, but the rest didn't speak to me.

A week passed but my mind kept returning to the passage and my conversation with Al. I returned to Psalm 46. This time the scriptures opened up to me and I instantly remembered the powerful passage. It is broken into 3 thoughts, all focusing on the God who is vastly powerful, but is also a refuge for those who trust in Him. He is with us in the powerful earthquake and He is the One who brings peace. This time I found the passage very comforting.

Also brought to my mind was a popular scripture: Isaiah 40: 31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.

When I first started my exercise program I thought of this passage--a little sarcastically--since I could barely walk the track--even once--without being left gasping for breath. As my strength grew, I claimed the scripture more as a promise.

Again, I decided to go back and read an entire passage. What a powerful passage. Verse 25 asked us who can be compared to God? He created and named the stars. In verse 27 we are reminded that that God knows about our just claims, even when we think He is ignoring them. Then there is the theme we are familiar with. God does not grow faint or weary. Though young men eventually fall from exhaustion, if we wait on the Lord we will run tirelessly.

Both scriptures have the same theme: The power and justice of God, waiting for God, and that God doesn't desert the just. I needed to be reminded of these things. In fact, this week I have made a habit of reading both passages daily. I don't know how long I will do this. I just know that, for the moment, I need to be reminded of the themes in these verses. I feel uplifted as I read about the God who is my refuge. The verses make it easier for me to be still.

Manna

Manna. Most of us know the story from the book of Exodus, about the little flakes of bread from Heaven. God used the manna to care for the Hebrew people as they traveled through the wilderness. It was also a way to teach His people how to trust Him. Even though God made provisions, the people still complained. They had a lot to learn.

I have been going through a wilderness in my life, too. I lost a job I enjoyed and existed on unemployment for 6 months. Potential employers yanked me about. Several of them lied to me without even blinking. Then, I finally found a job. It was not quite what I expected, barely enough money to cover the mortgage, but this may be the manna that sustains me until the economy recovers. That’s why I’ve decided to focus on the positives that this job offers.

Here’s positive #1. Picking up and caring for children at the daycare is much more physical than I thought. My arms, neck, legs, thighs, and rump are sore from bending, lifting, and rocking toddlers.

As a teacher, I used to stand and walk about the classroom so I was tired by the end of the day. Daycare work is much more physical. I am now more active than I used to be. That is very positive.

Positive #2. I am working through meal times and take my breaks much later. That doesn’t sound so good, but I have managed to lose the 8 pounds that I put on while I was unemployed.

Maybe working at this job will make me a healthier person. Perhaps I needed some time away from my former job so I could become a little more fit.

I can hear people groaning and saying that I am grasping at straws. I am trying to apply purpose to a random situation. Well, that’s the science teacher in me. I know there are no random acts.

Signs

I am a sci-fi fan. I like true sci-fi much more than than sci-fi/fantasy blended. I am a purist that way.

My son and I were watching a sci-fi double feature last weekend, a couple of movies I've watched dozens of times. I was surprised at how the M. Night Shyamalin's movie, Signs, really seemed to speak to me. I can't get the movie out of my mind.

There is a scene where the two main characters, brothers, are watching the TV and trying to find more information about crop circles and alien sightings. The younger brother asked the older, who was once a minister, if this was the end of the world.

The older brother says there are two types of people. One type believes that everything is a matter of luck, that life is a series of random events, with no reason or greater purpose. They will see these events as the end of the world.

The second group sees miracles and signs--reason and purpose. They don't believe they face problems alone. Those people won't see these events as the end of the world.

There have been numerous anxious moment during the past 6 months of my life. I walked away from a good paying job to teach in a small private school, but was laid off when enrollment declined. I was totally unaware that the economy would take such a downturn. I wasn't even told that the decision to lay me off had been made till it was too late to find another teaching job. I have spent months trying to make contacts, to little avail. I have had potential employers string me along, even after positions were all ready filled and there was no chance I would be hired.

During this time I've drained my savings--and financial security. I've been concerned about making mortgage payments. Though I will soon be working at a new job, I will be earning a dangerously low salary with no benefits.

As I watched that movie, the tears began to flow. The former minister asked his brother, "What kind of person are you?"

If I looked at the chain of events this last 2 years as simply bad luck, I would be crushed. I don't know if I could be strong enough to take blow, after blow, after blow. I might think it was easier to give up and go on welfare.

--But I have tried to stay focused and believe there is something out there for me. There is a reason and purpose for what has happened. I don't know where this path leads, just that I am to follow it.

Like the characters in the movie Signs, I'm confused and don't understand what is going on in the world around me. Like the younger brother in the movie, I am seeking the signs and am comforted in knowing that I am not going through all of this alone.

Pratical Economic Advice

When I'm under the weather on Sunday, I make a point to watch specific ministers on TV. These are members of a variety of denominations, but they all feed my spirit.

One of my favorite ministers to watch on TV is Rev. Sandy Wilson, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN. On October 19, 2008, a sermon about the current financial crisis aired on TV. Some of the things Sandy Wilson said truly eased my mind. I thought he gave very wise council. I will not quote Rev. Wilson, or try to summarize his sermon, but I would like to pass on some of his advice about how to get through some of the hard economic times ahead.

1. Anger over those who brought this economic hardship about is useless. It will keep our focus from the things we can control.

2. Worry won't change our financial situation. It won't add a cent to our checkbook and it will only cause us health problems.

3. We must be good stewards over what we have. Whether God give us much or gives us less, we are still responsible to make good financial decisions.

4. We must have a thankful, worshipful heart. God loves us. He may use the limited resources to mold us or our family in ways we can't imagine.

Scriptures used in this sermon are verses we all know. Matthew 6:25-31 is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus tells the people to look at the birds in the air and the lilies in the field. If God cares for them, He will more surely care for His children. I might suggest reading all the way to verse 34. It is a very comforting set of scripture.

It is important for Christians to make wise decisions about our finances, to accept and be thankful to God for what we have, and to reach out and help other Christians whenever we can.

We should also be aware of and try to find resources to help others in our community.