Read: First Samuel 8:1-22, Job 1:6-12, and Job 2:1-6
(see also Philippians 1:6)
About two weeks ago I got myself into quite a pickle. As I was going about my daily chores, I noticed that periodically the thumbnail on my right hand would get caught in every sheer-like fabric I handled. It became so annoying that I finally stopped what I was doing, got a nail file, and carefully reshaped my fingernail. That, however, did not fix the problem, and I continued to snag most everything I touched.
Upon closer examination I noticed that a tiny piece of hardened skin was embedded in the crevice at the side of the fingernail. Nail clipper in hand, I was about to cut the skin when I heard my mother's voice from somewhere in my distant past warning, "Leave it alone, you're only going to make it worse." I hadn't listened to her then, and having not learned the lesson, I forged ahead with full assurance that I would get it this time. I clipped and clipped, never quite able to get it, but with dogged determination I kept trying. I repositioned the clipper but still couldn't get it. Finally after removing quite a bit of skin that had absolutely nothing to do with the piece I was after, I managed to clip the hardened skin low enough to stop snagging things. Victory! That is, until the next morning. When I awoke my right thumb was extremely painful - so much so that I could hardly use it.
I had a few items to iron, so letting my left hand bear most of the burden, I set up the ironing board and began preheating the steam iron. I awkwardly placed a garment on the board, being careful not to bump my sore thumb. There were some really stubborn wrinkles in the fabric so I decided to use the Power Surge button on the iron. This would release a blast of steam and easily tackle the wrinkles. When I pushed the button, my thumb didn't land squarely on top of it and slipped forcefully off. My thumbnail ripped down the middle lengthwise about ¼ inch. Half the nail tore away from the nail bed and sat straight up. It happened so fast that I didn't feel the pain right away, but it did begin to bleed. I got the nail clipper and cut my fingernail as low as I could without damaging the tender tissue beneath it. By the time I bandaged my thumb the pain had caught up with the injury. Now I had TWO sore thumbs! I could hardly do anything, and what I did manage to get done was not done very well. There were also things I would have done that I simply did not attempt - my movements were either too awkward or too painful. What a predicament!
Our scripture readings show us two ways that we can find ourselves "in a pickle." One is that we hear but fail to heed warnings, instructions, or corrections. God speaks to us through His word, promptings of the Holy Spirit, people, and circumstances. Whichever way He chooses, our spirit bears witness to what we have heard and gives us a gentle sense of how to respond. If we learn to heed this "inner voice," we can avoid unnecessary pain and conflict. On the other hand, there are times when we are going about the normal business of living, doing all the right things, and are catapulted into a crisis. It is during these times that we must cling to the faithfulness of God. He has allowed the conflict for a divine purpose, and we must trust Him. Each of our lives is like a gigantic puzzle, of which we see only one piece at a time. If we merely look at the piece we are living at the moment, it will make no sense at all. But the piece we are living is a part of the total picture and fits beautifully and perfectly into the puzzle.
As we embark on the journey into 2009, we can be confident that it will be a very good year. Our heavenly Father is ordering our steps and is in full control. Whether we blow it and suffer needlessly, or whether we do all the right "stuff" yet end up in crisis, God is faithful. What He promises, He performs. And He has promised to complete the work that He has begun in us!
Prayer
Thank You for allowing me to see this New Year. I look forward to the challenges You have designed for my journey and to the lessons that I can learn through them. Help me to rely totally on You and yield to Your Sovereignty. I won't just CALL You Lord, but will allow You to BE Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
