Chuck Bridges Blog

I have had so many things going on this past couple of weeks that I haven’t taken the time to sit down and post about some great Truths God is teaching me. This has truly been a great time of Spiritual, Emotional, and Mental Growth in my life. As always the stress of getting everything together for our departure to Romania this coming Thursday has been challenging. I always get nervous when taking others out of the country for the first time. Will it be a good experience for them? Will they adjust to the change in climate, culture, cuisine, etc.? Will they do ok with the lengthy travel? (I know; I know; these are all things in God’s control but I still think about these things) As I shared in my last post, I will try to keep regular updates coming through this blog while we are on this amazing journey (Oct. 15-27). Check it out when  you get a minute and please pray for us.

If I had to summarize what God has been magnifying in my life recently it would be mostly about “PERSPECTIVES.” We have probably all heard about the illustration of the glass that is half filled with water (or is it half empty?). EXACTLY! Whichever way you see it constitutes your tendencies in the realm of “PERSPECTIVE!” The problem for me is how easy it is to allow my PERSPECTIVE to be shaped by the Uncertain Present instead of by the Certainty of the Future. This may be a little archaic for some who have strived for the “Abundant Life” in this cursed world. With all of our knowledge about PERSPECTIVES it seems that our responses to “Daily Stuff” remain in the realm of the NOW!

Trust me, I am not pointing the long finger of disdain at anyone! (Except Myself) I have almost drowned recently in the “tsunami” of the PRESENT while claiming to Know and Believe in the “Life Boat” called the FUTURE! Romans 8 is a great resource for the most seasoned Christ-Follower as well as the beginner. It reminds us of how influential the guaranteed future can be in the wilderness of “Present struggles.” Actually the Bible says it is these very struggles that makes it possible for God to get accomplished what He has ultimately planned for our lives. So, some of the very things that we are praying like crazy for God to change, remove, or at least explain are the things He is using to “Construct” HIS Masterpiece (by the way, that Masterpiece is YOU! cf. Ephesians 2:10)

It would be great if it were possible to get all this stuff figured out so that we could handle life’s challenges with more poise and control. But, in reality, as soon as we think we have something figured out, another situation intrudes on our controlled environment that sets off all our alarms! Its at the times when we are “free-falling” that we reach out for something to grab on to that can stop the madness. While I can’t give you step by step instructions I can tell you that that something we need to grab hold of is actually not a thing it is a PERSON!

You see, we want our lives to fit neatly and comfortably in a structure that makes sense. Let’s just keep all the mystery in the novels and movies, RIGHT? This would produce a boring existence. Instead, do a quick inventory of your “situations” (good or bad; your fault or not; etc.) and evaluate how things could be different IF we learn where to reach when we need something solid to hang on to. In a way, a PERSPECTIVE God is giving me about life is that it is kind of like a thrilling ride on one of those upside down, incredibly fast roller coasters that takes your stomach away and makes you scream while laughing hysterically. The only reason we can enjoy that ride is because we are securely strapped in to our seat; trusting completely in the craftmanship of its designer!

We can face life in the same way as long as we are strapped securely in our seat (i.e. that is called Salvation through Christ) and we trust in the craftmanship of the designer (that’s the God we believe in). Knowing how to hold on to these 2 unchanging TRUTHS can help us keep our sanity no matter what unexpected things find their way into our realm of consciousness. Also, remember that, before anything gets to us (i.e. Children of God) it has to get past our Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts. You can be SURE that if our God has allowed it to make it all the way to us, He has a plan for our VICTORY!

So, hold on and enjoy this journey called LIFE! You only get one shot at it so don’t waste too much time griping or worrying about things you cannot change. Go ahead, be one of the brave ones, raise your arms to the sky, scream with joy at the top of your lungs, and laugh hysterically knowing that God has everything in control! That’s the PERSPECTIVE of CHAMPIONS! For a little more help with PERSPECTIVES that bring PEACE see Deut. 29:29! ENJOY THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!!!