Beach Balls and What's Under the Surface

When I was a kid my Dad got us an above ground circular swimming pool.  Come Spring he cleaned it, got the necessary chemicals,plugged in the filter, and as soon as it was warm enough, we enjoyed the refreshment and laughter all summer long. One of the games we played was taking big colorful beach balls and push them below the water surface and try to hold them down or tried to sit on them. The problem was, beach balls are round and not easy to control under the surface.  Air is so much lighter than water and air was continually and strongly forcing the ball up above the surface.  It was fun trying to keep the ball below the surface, all the while the ball was trying hard to get up above the surface.

We can be like that can't we?  There are just things in our private lives that we really don't want people to see, so we force them below the surface in hopes that no one can.  That's a problem!!! Because sooner or later that problem is going to explode above and people will know and it will make a scene.  Wouldn't it be so much better if we all could practice bringing in a few trusted friends in, people who are safe, love us, care for us and know we have stuff and they love us enough to not let us stay stuck?  The truth is they have had and will have their stuff too..

  So, rather then becoming a statistic, how about we take the plunge, dive in and ask a few safe, trusted and wise people into our lives, marriage and spiritual life, and ask for their help while we are still in it instead of trying hard to make sure no one sees it? How about becoming that for a few people ourselves if we are in a good place presently.  No one, and I mean no one has their life, spiritual life, marriage, parenting together.  We need God, we need His word, we need His Holy Spirit AND we need others who know us best, love us most and are willing to speak the truth in love to us. And we need them to be in our corner when the pressures in our lives if left un-checked will explode in a mess for all to see.

"Shame Kills" is a message I heard about 10 years ago. When there are times we can't make it on our own, we somehow swallow our pride and try figuring out ways we can make it work without "bothering" others,, shame kills.  When we hope we will turn things around but don't bring people in to speak into it, shame kills. When our marriage is hurtful and not helpful and we don't ask for the wisdom, prayers and support of others, well shame kills.  When we can't seem to win the battle over a sin that so easily entangles us and we are too ashamed of opening up to a spiritual mentor, but later on we get "found out", shame kills.....  Let's be people who carefully let the ball up and out for those close to us to see instead of trying hard to keep it below where no one can..

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

How Your Tests Are Actually Your Truths.

   3 years is also 36 months, it's also 156 weeks and 1095 days.  Not including vacation time, holidays and my day off each week this is how long I have had the honor of serving at Southbrook Church as Life Groups Pastor.

  It's not been a typical 3 years, nope it's been some of the most challenging time I have ever had in full time ministry. I got to thinking, is there any time in any one's life that is "typical" anymore?  Would it be a good idea to presume that life is never quite normal and that arriving there is more the exception than the rule?  I think so.  So maybe a better thing to do is determine how we are going to respond, and what we are going to learn, and how these challenges are going to make us better and those around us. "Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things." I Cor. 9:24.

    We are measured most accurately under pressure.  What gets squeezed out is most us.  Like it or not.  Sports and more specifically the discipline of wrestling taught me so much. Daily disciplines of how much to eat, what to eat, when I could, showing up at practice, the importance of practicing against guys who were better than I was rather than sparring against guys I knew I could beat. Then there was keeping up with my studies on top of not eating, competing at a high level while not eating,etc. I would like to think I always passed the test. I did not. Sometimes I just didn't have it in me. I would give in and eat. When I would get hurt, but not enough to stop me from practicing, I took a little more time off than the injury warranted. I had some proud moments and not so proud ones. But one thing is for certain - I couldn't fake it.  Everyday in practice or out there on a mat it was just me and my opponent. I would be found out, good or bad. 

 It's also mostly true in life. You might be able to fake others out but why short-change yourself and have to face regret? Use the hard times and tests to find out what you are made of. You are better than you think you are. I dare you to see for yourself.