30 Year Reunion

Hard to imagine it was 30 years ago that I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ at San Diego State University. This past weekend we had a 30 year reunion; great seeing old faces-literally. Many old stories revisited. I'm reminded of one of the summers we did a skit and I remember lighting a BIC lighter and saying the line "Turn or Burn" and the guy blows out the BIC and walks away. The point being don't bother me...I'm busy.

When the Titanic was on its maiden (and only) voyage, warnings were coming over the airwaves "careful, icebergs sighted in the area." The premise for the Titanic was that it was unsinkable, and the staff bought into that idea. The response from the bridge of the Titanic came back "shut up don't bother us."

Many years ago, that was my attitude "shut up, don't bother me, leave me alone I'm having too much fun right now." But there it was, I was invited to attend an event called Decide 80. One of the sponsors of the event was Campus Crusade...and so I turned.

Safe and Exciting

Ever wonder if it's OK to complain to God? I think He wants to be involved with all aspects of our life; the good, the bad, and the ugly. When you look at Psalms and Lamentations, you find that more than half are well, complaints. Yes, we are to praise the the Lord and stuff, but also talk with Him about all the crap of everyday life too.

So many have a preconceived idea that life is not supposed to be a roller coaster, but rather where in all cases life is a straight path. But when I read various passages, I see that He tells us He can help make paths straight, which in theory means there must be ones that aren't straight or without bumps.

Here's an interesting take from Eastlake Church's blog today..."My expectation was that God knows where he's taking me and that he will be the "10 and 2" driver, the driver that steers me in the path of least resistance because I am His son, he cares about me and will not cause me harm. Now, after being a Christian a while longer, I see God in a different light. He lets me choose where I go, but when I hand over the controls, he looks back at me with a smile and says, "Son, do you trust me?" I respond with a confident "Yes!" He puts on his seat belt and helmet, tells me to hold on tight, and makes a hard right turn as he steps on the gas, off the paved road straight into the dunes at Glamis. We're jumping off dirt mounds, speeding through ditches, and God is confident all the way."

We may feel like we are in a questionable state, and may not feel safe, but in God's hands. Imagine how the disciples felt. Remember the story where they are crossing the lake and a big storm kicks up... Jesus was sleeping! Yet, He was "in the boat" with them.

Sometimes in these storms, we may wonder, and even complain, but know this- God is with us in the boat in the storm of life.