"The deeper we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become—the more we realize that everything in life is a gift. The tenor of our lives becomes one of humble and joyful thanksgiving.... The poor man and woman of the gospel have made peace with their flawed existence. They are aware of their lack of wholeness, their brokenness, the simple fact that they don't have it all together. While they do not excuse their sin, they are humbly aware that sin is precicely what has caused them to throw themselves at the mercy of the Father."
~ Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel (p. 80)
I received an email from a friend the other day that proposed a prescription for stress-free living. It's not a remedy that we'll find in a pill. He said that the key to the stress-free life is the faith-filled life. Meaning, if I were to live out practically what I confess theologically about God, then I could live like a child with the ultimate in trustworthy Fathers. As stress-free as a three-year-old asleep in his carseat in the back of the van.
The truth is that my Father is sovereign over all people and events, big and small. Not only is he ultimately in control of everything, he is good, kind, wise, and loving. His aim is to bless those who are his. He is a Father who "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). I know that I have been called, and I really do want to love him. So, the issue may be how I define what is good—what blessing is. Is my comfort and health the great good? Is wealth the ultimate blessing? Is it popularity and success? I don't think so. The ultimate good probably is knowing that which is ultimately most satisfying for the human soul, which is knowing this Father/God in a personal, intimate way, trusting his plan, resting in his love, and leaning on his grace. Always, like breathing.
This does not mean that I quit my job or stop paying my bills. It means that, as I work, lead my family, pay bills, replace light bulbs, fix flat tires and deal with other frustrations of sin in my life and in the world around me, that I am continually talking to him and listening to him, consciously aware of my need, his presence, his power and his purpose (granted, a purpose that is beyond my understanding, which is another reason to trust without having to know results). So I ask for help a lot. I go to him with my fears and tears. I make much of him, living as a Jesus-dependent in every area of my life, seeking the fullness of his Spirit to know God as Abba and experience his fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.).
But is the stress-free life really possible? In theory, yes. If only I will become a child. In those moments, stress dissipates. So, when my body begins showing signs of stress, fear and anxiety, I need to know that I am not condmened. Those symptoms are functioning like the law, driving me to Jesus for my justification, hope and peace. Stress is saying, "you are trying to hard. You are playing God. It's time to cry out, 'Abba, Father,' and reorient yourself to the truth of the gospel." Seen from that perspective, I can affirm that my Father does indeed cause all things to work for good—even stress. To make me a child again. So that I can rest in the back of the van.
Here is this morning's message from Creekstone, Grace and Peace to You, from Luke 2:8-16.
