Courage and thankfullness are necessary in times of change

By Shea Fite, The Narrows, March 20, 2010
 
Recent events and tactics in our government have made me uneasy. The passage of unpopular healthcare legislation this weekend has brought to the forefront how much faith that I as a believer have put in our government. I also hear the fear, frustration and anxiety that are expressed in my friends and fellow believers as this new government wields its strength. It is clear that I am not alone in my feelings. I myself have felt a sense of despondence to the whole government process. I have felt powerless, kind of like Alice tumbling down a rabbit hole.
 
 
And I am reminded of God’s words.
 
 
Isaiah 66:1
 
This is what the LORD says:
"Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
 
The simple cliché “God is still on the throne” has real meaning. None of these changes surprise Him. He has a divine conspiracy to capture my heart and He will stop at nothing to see that accomplished. In this whole situation He is showing me how important it is to continually surrender my whole heart to Him; to trust Him for my life, my children’s lives and for my financial life.
 
And that is the crux of this whole thing isn’t it? I am afraid of losing economically. These decisions nationally affect my pocketbook. A wise friend once told me that if I am angry it is because I am feeling entitled to something. When that expectation ceases to be met, anger is the resulting emotion. And Jesus is gently whispering to me “where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” So are we as believer’s entitled to anything at all? No! Life itself is a gift! And the opposite of entitled is humility and thankfulness. So I choose thankfulness even as these changes are taking place before my very eyes.  
 
In Isaiah 66 God, the maker of the universe, is speaking through a prophet letting me know that one day, He will make His home in my soul. And that came true when I met His son Jesus. He has carved out a place a home in my heart, even as I stay up late this night pecking away at the laptop.
 
So, as men who love Jesus with our whole hearts, we must lean in to Him. We must work below the water line, in the secret place of our heart to invite more of Him in. Let Him rest there and fear, anxiety, and entitlement melt away in light of the affection of a holy loving God that calls us his friends. He is not flustered. He is not angry. No, He is simply chasing each of us, in the middle of our child like fear. Make a place for Him.