The Fire — 5 Years Later

“Approach this day with awareness of who is Boss. As you make plans for the day, remember that it is I who orchestrate the events of your life. On days when things go smoothly, according to your plans, you may be unaware of My sovereign Presence. On days when your plans are thwarted, be on the lookout for Me! I may be doing something important in your life, something quite different from what you expected. It is essential at such times to stay in communication with Me, accepting My ways are better than yours. Don’t try to figure out what is happening. Simply trust Me and thank Me in advance for the good that will come out of it all. I know the plans I have for you, and they are good.” —Sarah Young in Jesus Calling 

My upstair’s neighbor being rescued

Interesting to read this devotional this morning as today marks the 5^th anniversary of the fire that destroyed my condo building.

Lygon’s Story

Taken from http://www.timetoliveisnow.org/about-us/lygons-story/

On January 10, 2008, on winter break from college, 20-year-old Lygon Stevens perished in an avalanche while climbing Little Bear Peak in southern Colorado with her brother. Swept downhill over 1000 feet and buried under a mass of snow, she would not be recovered until late June when the snows melted. Her brother and climbing partner, Nick, also caught in the avalanche, miraculously survived the fall. Though injured, he heroically climbed the avalanche slide, hiking back eight miles over twenty hours to summon help. With him, he carried two precious possessions – their pocket camera and Lygon’s journal.

The Gains in Loss

Steve Saint recently had a spinal cord injury that, in one moment, changed everything.  His daily routine of developing tools for Christian tribal groups to reach their people and other tribes was interrupted by a piece of equipment he was testing that slammed him in the head and left him partially paralyzed.  In one moment the greatest gift we often overlook – the joy of a daily routine and having personal independence, was taken away.  Now he faced months, perhaps years of a daily routine of learning to move again and being dependent on others for so many things we take for granted.  With someone like Steve, a dedicated follower of Christ, such a moment comes with a needed clarity of what God was doing and wanting in his life. (View Steve Saint’s recovery videos here)

Identity Crisis

Every one of us wears a badge of honor that proudly displays our righteousness. We show off this badge to all we come into contact with, we boast about it to all our friends, we are defined by it. For some, it’s a job to which they ascribe their worth, for others it’s a romantic affection, or it could even be a pious religious pursuit. Whatever it is that you place your identity in, no doubt you have nothing but the best of intentions, but is it possible for these intentions to be fulfilled by our efforts? How can we know that our intentions are actually pure and good and right? Is it possible that we can work so hard as to finally attain the prize for which we have fought so hard? Is it possible to actually live a fulfilling life chasing after this identity? In my limited experience I have found that my own efforts and intentions have left me utterly hopeless and wanting.