Monday, February 26, 2018

When Something Happens

Life is filled with questions. Just when we begin to soar and life couldn’t be better, something happens. We love the thrill of victory, but the defeat’s not so fun. 

Lord, why would you allow this awful tragedy in Florida? How come my dear friends are going through such pain? How do I deal with these physical challenges that come my way? Why is there so much sadness in our world?

Life is filled with questions. Sooner or later, things happen that just don’t make sense. What do we do when something happens?

Habakkuk was a prophet dude in the bible. There are three short chapters tucked away in the Old Testament devoted to his story. Habakkuk, like us, was looking for answers. He was troubled by all the stuff he observed going on in his day. He questioned God…. "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ But you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?" (Habakkuk 1:2-3)

He honestly felt like God wasn’t hearing him! Habakkuk’s big beef was that that the wicked in Judah were not being punished for their sins. He couldn’t get why a just God would allow such evil to exist. But guess what? God was listening! God told Habakkuk not to worry and that He would deal with Babylon in his own way! He would even use Babylon to punish Egypt and Judah. Habakkuk eventually prayed and waited on God. God was listening after all!

At the end of the book, Habakkuk has a renewed understanding of God’s power and love. He writes:
"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

I like Habakkuk’s thought process. Sure, he questioned God. But it didn’t stop there. He prayed. He sought God. Then, he was able to have a perspective that only God could give. Wow. As you start this day, what would your paraphrase be of Habakkuk 3:17-19? (See paraphrase example below.) Will you respond like Habakkuk when something happens?

"Though the cells are malignant, or our boss is belligerent; though our children think our faith is silly, the Bible is fable, and life is futile, we will rejoice in you. Though our pastor fails us, a co-worker slanders us or a friend betrays us, we will rejoice in you." Scotty Smith’s paraphrase (@ScottyWardSmith)

"When you encounter the living God of the Bible through his Word and his Spirit, every excuse, demand, and complaint dies in your heart. He is God. He loves you. If your view of God is too small, pray for him to enlarge it." Tim Keller Wisdom @DailyKeller

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Monday, February 19, 2018

What Do We Do?

The morning after the tragic Florida shooting, the news radio anchor was recalling all the mass shootings that have happened in past years in our country. As he read off city after city and the number of deaths, my heart sank as I remembered each one. Parkland. Sutherland Springs. Las Vegas. Orlando. Charleston. Sandy Hook. Aurora. Tucson. Virginia Tech, Columbine and many, many more.

What do we do? Of course, we want to do what we can to stop such tragedies from occurring. Indeed, there are many things we can do to make changes. Sadly, because we’ve gotten used to so many of these mass killings, we respond with sadness, send thoughts and prayers, debate on what to do, complain about what’s not being done, try to make a difference and then go back to our daily lives. Repeat the cycle.

I have to admit that it’s been a while since I thought about the Virginia Tech shootings and those still grieving. Sadly, I haven’t prayed for a while for those families in Las Vegas who have lost a loved one or been injured. I can’t remember when I last gave thought to those families who lost loved ones in Sandy Hook. Even with Sutherland Springs so close to home, I can forget!

You don’t forget when you’ve been affected. You don’t forget when your life is changed forever. Many families are waking up this morning with lives changed forever. They won’t forget. I must say, my family has tasted such horror and I can assure you, you never forget.

And every time another shooting or trauma happens, I want to get mad. Even mad at God! Why and how could He let yet another something happen? Why is there so much evil in this world? Why, why, why????

This morning, I read God's Word for help. God knows full well tragedy. He allowed His One and Only Son to die on a cross. God isn’t some distant, detached deity that is watching us from a distance. God isn’t the creator of evil and suffering. God is not unfamiliar with our own suffering right now. He is near to the brokenhearted. He is near your broken heart and mine. Is it really profitable to get mad at God?

While being imprisoned in a Nazi death camp, Corrie ten Boom wrote these words “No matter how deep our darkness, God is deeper still.”  Every tear we shed, He cries too. So, what do we do? When tragedy and suffering comes, make the choice to run to God’s arms. He is deeper still. He will give pure peace for this day and hope for your future. Be a difference maker in your community with God’s help. The One who never forgets will help you navigate the challenges of our day. Try Him.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. But be courageous! I have conquered the world! John 16:33

 Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Sweethearts Valentine Candy

I can’t get through Valentine’s Day without having some of those adorable Sweethearts candy. (Pink’s my favorite color.) I’ve tried avoiding them, but somehow, those cute little (or big) hearts are just way too tempting for me. I blame it on my grade-school Valentine’s Day exchange parties. I got hooked then.

Created by the Necco Company years ago, these candies are anything but stale. This candy hits HEB the same day the Christmas decorations came down. Throughout the years, Sweethearts sayings have reflected how our country and culture have changed. New sayings for today’s culture are: Text me. Tweet me. LOL and Bestie. The company has even added and dropped sayings based on how people communicate. What’s cool. What’s not cool.

Even though Valentine’s Day would be under the heading of a Hallmark Holiday, I have a feeling God loves when we focus on love. God LOVES it when we love other people well. It was His idea in the first place! So, I was drawn to 1 Corinthians 13:3-7 (MSG) this week as we celebrate Valentine’s Day.

“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything.
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.”

How can you show those that you dearly love this kind of love? How can you show those that you don’t like so much this kind of love? How can you show those you try to avoid this kind of love? God has given us a pretty good idea of His kind of love. May each one of us ask God for the ability to truly love people well. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Busy Rushing Around?

I just did my "to do" list for this week. My "to do" lists can be a joke. I write a ton of things down, but always seem to fall short in getting items crossed off my list. Sometimes, my "to do" list causes me great stress. How will I get it ALL done?

One of my YMCA Ragger Goals for this year is to live a peaceful, calm and relaxed life, looking to Jesus Christ as my model. It turns out that Christ seemed to be pretty busy, yet at the same time he was not busy. Jesus, how did you do it with so many people wanting your attention? At times, Christ was so busy that his disciples tried to keep people away. They were like secret service agents trying to protect Him from the chaos! But, they didn’t stop Jesus from loving people! 

Jesus didn’t have a calendar or phone or cool strategy on managing his busy schedule. His aim in life was to do the Father’s work and to please Him…. and He did that perfectly. He had alone time with the Father and never did one thing outside the Father’s will. And so how do you think Jesus was so content, relaxed and peaceful?

I don’t see many people living this type of life, but it is possible. The closest I saw to this was a professor of mine, Dallas Willard. I had the incredible honor of being in a graduate class with him at a monastery in California for two weeks. He modeled such peace, despite being a very sought after and busy man. Watching Dallas inspired me to such a life. 

How does your busyness send you soaring in anxiety? How does your busyness paralyze you from loving those in your world? Why not try doing a few things well today with a non-anxious heart?

Let’s start today remembering what really matters and who matters. Meditate on the verses below.  I pray that God gives you the wisdom you’ll need for today to get done what needs to be done….AND the grace to do it with a peaceful, relaxed and calm spirit. It is possible.

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

"This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him." Lamentations 3:19-24

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.