Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

By Gobel Brockman


One of my best friends is this guy named Routine. We get along great. He knows what to expect from me, and I know what to expect from him. We understand each other. There's only one problem - we rarely get to see each other. He's always running off somewhere - usually without warning. Don't you hate it when friends do that?

I remember as a little kid having this idea that my friends and I would always remain friends. I'd get a job, have a wife and family, buy a house, and stay there for the rest of my life. Well, it's a nice thought, just far removed from reality. As a Postal employee, I tell people that the only thing that never changes at the Post Office is the fact that they're always changing something. But the truth is, every aspect of life is like that. Friends come in - and out - of our lives. Jobs change. Things we think are secure are gone in a moment. Many years ago my Dad had 28 years in at his job, went to work one day, and was told, 'The plant will be closing in 6 months.'

As Christians, we also deal with something else - God's will for our lives. Just when we think He's allowed our friend Routine to visit for awhile, He says, 'It's time to go.' In an instant, we're faced with new responsibilities, different surroundings, and a bit (or a lot) of uncertainty. But here's what I remind myself of: Hebrews 11:6 says that it is impossible to please God without faith. I've found in my life that when my buddy Routine is around, faith doesn't seem as necessary to have. But when I'm not sure what the next day, or even the next moment, has in store, that's when I realize how much I need Him. And He always proves Himself faithful. Jesus is indeed a faithful and secure friend who will see us through all of life's changes.

If you're in that place right now, I urge you to find strength and direction in Christ. He has promised He will never leave or forsake us. Not like that guy Routine....

In An Instant....

By Gobel Brockman


"Or those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, do you think they were worse sinners than all the others that lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:4-5)

We're still trying to come to grips with what happened at the Indiana State Fair recently. So far six people have sadly lost their lives, with over forty injured. It's sad to think that these people left their homes to simply attend a concert, hear some good music, and have a good time, not realizing that their lives would never be the same. My wife and I attended a Christian concert at that very stage the previous Wednesday. We  had a great time. The thought of something like that happening never crossed our minds. I'm sure it didn't theirs either.

Concert stages collapsing and injuring and killing people is a freak accident. People leaving this earth in the prime of life, however, happens every day. Every day someone walks out their front door to go to work, not knowing they will never return. People get in their cars for just another normal day, not realizing a drunk driver will be responsible for ending their life. Proverbs 27:1 is a verse I think of often: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."

I promise I'm not trying to depress you. I simply want you to remember that our lives on this earth are temporary, and every day we're one day closer to our last day. At that point, the thing that's going to matter is what did you & I do about what Jesus said about Himself? He claimed He was the Son of God, and the only way to Heaven. If that's true (and it is), we must act upon that belief. While there's still time.

I ask all who read this to join me in praying for the victims & families of the State Fair tragedy. I also pray that we all recognize the need to be prepared for when our time comes.

Hiioopp

Testing, testing....

By Gobel Brockman


TESTS. The very word gives some people the heeby-geebies. (If you've ever had them, you know what they are.) I've mentioned my drug & alcohol issues in high school before, but another aspect of that is they weren't very helpful in test-taking. But our lives are filled with tests. Have you ever wondered why? Yes you have.

Well, God has the answer. Deuteronomy 8:2 says this: "Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey His commands." I know it's very easy in times of testing to think things like 'God is mad at me, or I've sinned, or...or...' but we must remind ourselves constantly that tests are for a purpose. I look at it this way. I play music at church. One of the things I do before service is 'test' the microphones. Am I 'mad' at the mike? Has it 'sinned against me'? Of course not. So why am I testing it? Simple - I'm getting ready to use it, and I want to make sure it's ready to go. Why does God test us? To prove our character, and make sure we're ready to move on to our next assignment.

What got me thinking about all of this is there was a pretty big change at work recently that has made my job a lot more difficult. I would love to say I've handled it well, but I would be lying. Simply put, I failed the test. The 'Gripe-O-Matic' in me has been working overtime. What that tells me is I'm not quite ready yet to move to the next assignment. Thankfully, God allows re-tests. I pray for strength, to learn to trust that He has a purpose in everything, and to WAIT (Yuck, I hate that word) for His timing. I trust with His help the next test goes better. If you're in a time of testing right now, I understand. Let me encourage you with this: the Holy Spirit is the perfect tutor. Once we get ourselves out of the way, He can do awesome things in us. He'll even help us defeat the heeby-geebies....