Fair is Where You Get Cotton Candy
My thoughts have been all over the place for the past while which
is also why I haven’t posted in several weeks. I’m fed up with what I’ve been
witnessing around me; I could extend my anger and frustration to what’s
happening worldwide with Ebola health threats, ISIS terrorists, and conflicts
in Israel but there’s enough happening close to home to keep my thoughts drowning
in negativity.
Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Guess
what? It’s true. I hate it, I really do but I’m most frustrated by people
(friends) who should know the second part to what Jesus said, “But take heart
(have courage), I have overcome the world.” I want to say to anyone who
complains life is hard, life isn’t fair, “Quit your belly-aching and believe
the word. Fair is where you buy cotton candy.”
I’m baffled when people are surprised when trouble comes. A friend
tells me I don’t understand because I had a good childhood, with parents who
love and support me. I agree; I don’t understand everyone’s struggle but my
first thought when I heard even a hint of complaint against life, “Who are you
to deserve better?” Of course, I don’t actually say that. (That’s probably why
my friend won’t let me minister or counsel the troubled women she speaks to; I’m
only allowed to minister in prayer intercession - at a distance.)
My life is not immune to trouble or pain but overall, yes, I’ve
been very blessed. I don’t deserve the blessings I’ve received, and I certainly
don’t understand why I’ve received them. It’s one of the many mysteries of God,
however, when I was going through hell, I took Winston Churchill’s advice and
kept going. Okay, I hadn’t heard Winston’s advice at the time (as good as it
is), but I did claim Hebrews 12:1-3:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us, 2 fixing
our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set
before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider
him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary
and lose heart.
There are two plans for everyone’s life: a plan which leads
to a good, and hopeful future (Jeremiah 29:11) and a plan which leads to death,
pain and destruction (John 10:10). Genesis
4:6-7 says, The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your
face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do
well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule
over it.”
Sin desires you. In every situation there is a choice – sin,
which leads to death or righteousness, which leads to life. We do not need to
be a victim in everything. We have choices. If we live life believing it will
be fair to us, we’ve already been deceived. There is no one worthy of goodness,
and apart from God, there is no goodness. We all fall short, but take heart, He’s already overcome.
In Philippians, Paul writes he can do all things, through
Christ who gives him strength. The strength which Jesus lends us is
supernatural, but the verse doesn’t mean supernatural phenomena as is often
interpreted. What Paul is saying is that he can maintain inner joy, peace and
all things of the Spirit, no matter what the circumstance or situation. Paul didn’t
belabour or complain that life wasn’t fair, he fought back and ruled over the
thought that he must give in to the tragedy around him.
Even my Man was complaining about something this past weekend.
I looked at him and agreed: life stuff sucks at the moment, but he didn’t have
lines of defense available. There seems to be a message being taught that says
we are saved by grace and there is nothing further we must work at. Even Paul,
the greatest defender of Christian grace, said he worked out his faith with
fear and trembling.
Overcoming something is hard work; it’s never easy but it
can be rewarding. Have you ever seen American Ninja Warriors? Their fitness
level didn’t just happen. If I attempted to try anything like that now, I’d
damage my body severely. Would I have a right to complain life isn’t fair if I
was hurt as a result?
My eye is on the prize, I want to hear the words, “Well
done, good and faithful servant. Come and share in your Master’s joy.” I don’t
want to be taken out or disqualified because I failed to do my part. To win the
prize, I prepare. It takes discipline and hard work and perseverance. I’ve given
up food, sleep, time, and even good opportunities to pursue the prize – it’s
part of my working out my faith with fear and trembling, just like Paul.
I am not be the most merciful, or compassionate counsellor
but I am good at reminding my friends of this: In this world, you will have
trouble, but have no fear, Jesus has prevailed and overcome, which means you
can overcome as well. Now do what he has commanded you to do and rule over the
sin that desires you.
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