Yesterday, I saw a post of a friend who went out to start his day and found a flat tire on his car. No doubt he had already formed a vision as to how his day would go. I doubt seriously that he expected his progress to be hindered by the flat tire.
First comes the reaction to this unexpected delay. I can't speak for you, but this is one of my most difficult struggles. How do I respond to unexpected events that hinder "my walk". We want to live for HIM in obedience. And right there in the middle of my efforts, is a hinderance to how I think I should be about HIS business. I get frustrated. Worse, the flat tire is an inanimate object. I have no choice but to seeth in silence. Times past I may have kicked the tire. They tire does not care if I kick it or not. In times past I would have allowed my tongue to speak words not fit to publish any more. Tires don't have ears anyway.
Life is loaded with these kinds of events. Why does YEHOVAH allow such things when HE knows my heart is going forward with HIM to do my best in being obedient and accomplishing HIS will?
What I've learned of late, is that it is these kinds of unexpected delays in my progress that offer me the greatest opportunities for growth. I've learned that life is not about the obstacles of our progress, but how we manage each one. For it is here, where my LORD helps me identify that which is not pleasing to HIM, and it is here that I truly deny myself, to follow HIM.
Flat tires, or some such thing never surprises HIM. HE knows our last moment from our first. HE is not in such a hurry as I am. So why do I allow my emotions to become engaged in the unexpected delays of my day?
I have learned to lower my expectations, and be content to follow HIM wherever HE leads me. For example, I have some general plans for today. And expect some things to happen at approximate times of day. But today will also be full of surprises. Some joyous events I hope. Some will be more like flat tires.
To follow HIM by faith, is to trust that every event, pleasant or not, is opportunity to put to death what I want, for what HE wants. Does YEHOVAH want us to have flat tires? LOL? I doubt it. But what HE does want us to do, is to manage each unexpected event, like YESHUA would manage it. WWJD! Remember? When was the last time we asked ourselves this question? What would JESUS do at this moment about this event? We follow a narrow path. We follow HIM on this path. We must stop trying to lead. That is SIN, my friend. We are to let each day unfold one hill at a time. One curve at a time. One bridge out at a time. At least they all are one at a time. Sometimes they come at us rapidly. But still one at a time.
Have you ever questioned where HE leads us, or even allows us to wander before leaving the 99 to come fish us out of the mire again? I have. Shamefully too many times. I've said before, I'm a slow learner.
I'm like that dumb sheep in a video I shared recently. Where the shepherd helps the dumb thing out of the ditch. And it runs in a tight semi-circle right back into the ditch. That's me. Dumb as a sheep.
Well, I might learn slow. But the good news for me, is that I do learn. And recently, yes recently, I've learned to look for HIM in all that happens, and set my heart to be cheerful about the unexpected. I don't have to understand. I just need to hold HIS hand. You know like the old cliche', "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. 🙂
You can be sure that there will be some spilled milk today along the narrow way. I know I am. Sometimes I knock over the glass. Sometimes the milk is spilled in my lap. How will I respond? There, is the sure measure of my growth. I often do not respond in such a way that in reflecting, I'm not pleased with my actions and thoughts. But the good news is that it is getting better. My response is getting more like HIM. I only see in part, but HE sees all. Had I known the outcome before the income, my responses would be much easier. But I don't know. Then when I learn about circumstances that I could not see, I get sick to my stomach because I acted shamefully and unkind. Oh, oh, oh, the disgust I have for my flesh and the way it often manages my responses. I have to pray for HIS ruling and leading to live in me, in such a way that no matter what happens, others see HIM in me, and not Lahry. And I promise you, I need to see HIM in me, a lot more than you do. 🙂 Be blessed. Turn the page.

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Lahry Sibley