Dear Fellow Children of God,
Does the world
seem more complex to you, every day?
Last week I
received an e-mail message from the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles
informing me that I needed to renew a registration. So, I tried to be up to date and went online
to renew on the state website. However,
to accomplish this registration, I was informed that I needed to go to the DMV
office in person. I printed out the
e-mail and drove to the Palmer DMV the following day, where I was greeted by a
sign informing me that transactions were now being taken care of through
appointments, made online. Sigh! I used my phone and got back on the internet
and made an appointment for the following Wednesday. While on the DMV webpage I also noticed a lot
of information about the “REAL ID.” My
driver’s license would expire next May.
So, when I made the appointment I indicated on the form I intended to
renew a registration, AND I would also apply for the REAL ID. I arrived at the DMV a few minutes early, and
others were being called forward, but not me.
Then I noticed a sign against the wall which indicated that I needed to
sign in. It was now past my appointment
time, but I signed in, and was later called forward to do business. The DMV employee, a very nice and helpful
lady, asked what my purpose was for my scheduled visit. I replied that I had indicated when I
registered for my appointment that I wanted to renew a registration and also
apply for the new ID. I showed her my
e-mail and let her know I had researched and brought all the necessary
documentation for the ID. However, she
told me that we were only supposed to take care of one transaction per
appointment. Nevertheless, she then had
mercy on me, and we accomplished both items of business in a timely
manner.
I don’t
remember these transactions being such a gauntlet. I do believe that, with technology, life is becoming more complicated, and the
coronavirus has only made matters worse. However, there have always been
surprises in life. We don’t always know
what we face, until we actually approach each situation in life. For example, often we can go to the store,
find our items, and get in and out quickly.
However, at other times, we find the store is out of what we are looking
for, with no idea when what we are looking to purchase will be available
again. Sometimes we visit a doctor and
he gives us a clean bill of health. But,
on other occasions the news is more . . . complicated. Being confronted with the unknown, especially
if it causes discomfort or delay, is what frustrates me. I am sure you face similar struggles. But, live has always held surprises.
When serving
as a pastor I made thousands of hospital calls over the years. Sometimes people who are hospitalized know
what illness or injury they face.
However, many times, and this can be very disconcerting, the medical
staff does not know the cause of the problem.
Nor could the doctors, nurses, or other health professionals inform the
patient how long they might struggle with their injury or illness. When faced with such medical uncertainty, I
found God’s words from Psalm 103, especially verses 1-5, to be comforting and
helpful.
1 Bless the
LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and
forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and
mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good so
that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
In this Psalm
God draws attention, not to our struggle, but first to the blessings which He
gives The Lord inspired King David to
write for us that God has and continues to forgive
our sins and to heal our diseases. God saves us from death and the grave, or the
pit. However, God also blesses us with
the spiritual blessings of steadfast
love and mercy, and takes care of us physically, “satisfying us with good so that our youth is renewed like the
eagle’s.” So, in this Psalm, God
reminds not to do what we unfortunately so often do. “Bless
the Lord . . . and forget NOT all His
benefits!” In other words, before we
focus on the struggles and challenges of life in this sinful world, don’t
forget, but REMEMBER all the blessings that are ours from God daily. We have assurance that God forgives, heals
and saves eternally, that our Lord provides spiritual and physical blessings in
abundance. This assurance can and should
give us strength to face life’s changes and challenges. After all, God is with us in His love and
mercy. He gives eternal life. What is a little frustration in this life
compared to the assurance of God’s overwhelming blessings and love?
A few months
ago I quoted Hebrews 13:8 in one of my devotions. In the midst of the uncertainty of life,
there is something which is
sure. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” When everything else is unsure, Jesus is
my Lord and my Savior. Jesus died to pay
what I owe eternally because of my rebellion against my Creator and Lord. Jesus rose, making sure this eternal life
which God offers freely through faith in Jesus.
I may not know what tomorrow brings, but I know who will be there, the
one who loves and saves me. As Martin
Luther would say, “This is most certainly true.”
One of my favorite movies is “Grumpy Old Men,” with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. In fact, not too long ago one of my sons told me, “You’re a ‘grumpy old man!’” He said it with a smile on his face, but he was also making a point. I pray that when the uncertainty of life makes me grumpy, frustrated, or confused, that I remember all the blessings of God through Jesus, in this life and eternally.
A Child of God, AND a Grumpy Old Man, Finding Strength in the Assurance of God's Love and Blessings
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Here are garden pictures from this week. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pgjxuxr1tHw12cu47
P.P.S. Here are some pictures of our yard and our flowers. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jeSfmEdoTmSCY6Wy7
P,P.P.S. I did some trout fishing, with grandchildren and by myself. Here are some more pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pgjxuxr1tHw12cu47
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK. My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor." However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God." I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it. If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net. I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them. BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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