Getting Through the Good Times...

I have lived with "a glass half-empty" approach most of my life. In the last two years, things have started to change. I am shifting from looking for excuses and acting like a victim to realizing that I am responsible for my actions. I have an obligation to God to look at life as a gift and live it out accordingly. Most of my destructive patterns have taken a backseat to healthier ones, although I am aware that I will never be completely immune. Andraea (my fiance) has had a huge part to play in this Copernican Revolution (You know, Copernicus, the sun is the center of the universe, not the earth, guy). I am thankful to her for that.

Right now, life is pretty darn good. Andraea and I look forward to our wedding day more and more as it approaches. Her best friends and family will be there and my best friends and family will be there. Even my buddies from Mozambique are going to be able to make it!! (Daniel and Kristy Byrd - http://luvbyrds.blogspot.com/) Her friends from Poland are going to be there (John and Zaba Crozier - www.proem.pl). Ministry is going well. It's just challenging enough to keep me from getting stale or burned out. I am seeking what it means to preach for life change, not just information transfer. I love what I do, I am in love with my future wife, and I have some pretty cool people around me.

I am learning to love the Lord more and more as well. I still don't give Him all He deserves, though. I guess I never will, but I really don't give Him the time, energy, affection, and devotion that He is so worthy of. Dependency on Jesus for Daily Bread seems to be a bit easier in the down times for me. Call it classical conditioning, but I have learned to swim in the deep waters of desperation throughout my life.

I was listening to a Bible study on Philippians 4 about 2 months ago. My buddy, Nick Jackson, actually said that Philippians 4:13 has become so cliche (and possibly misused) because it's been taken out of context. His opinion was that Paul never meant for it to be separated from the previous verses:

"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:11-13

Nick went on to explain that it's not always the ones who are desperate that need to remember they "can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". Sometimes, the ones who have everything going for them need that reminder just as much. In fact, it is inevitable that our seasons will change. Learning to get through the good times as well as the hard times seems to be the Apostle Paul's "secret of being content".

He probably learned it from spending large quantities of time with Jesus. Jesus doesn't change - good times or bad. The world is filled with people who allow external circumstances to jack their emotions up. I know, I'm one of 'em. But, I am learning. One of the greatest things that Andraea has ever said to me in relation to how to get through the good times and the bad ones is this, "We shouldn't change - God doesn't".