When I was in college, each summer I would return home to work at a local health club. One of my duties was to teach all kinds of aerobics classes. I know I'm dating myself here- think big hair, leggings over tights, and disco music while we jumped around on a hard wood floor!
One day my boss informed me that he wanted me to teach water aerobics in the pool. "How hard can it be?" I thought, as I stood on the edge and shouted instructions to all my ladies immersed in the pool. When the class was over my boss called me aside and told me that to be an effective teacher I needed to get in the water with the ladies and actually do the class with them.
I have never forgotten that lesson- and boy was he right. Class attendance tripled, and so did my compassion for those I was teaching.
One of the things I respect most about Jesus is the way He fully understands what it's like to be human. Every heartache, temptation, desire and pull is completely familiar to Him. He is the essence of authenticity when it comes to being human.
"For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." Hebrews 2:18
If Jesus merely taught from the side of the pool- barking out instructions about how we should live but not getting into the water Himself- I would have a hard time following Him. I'd constantly be wondering how He could truly understand what it feels like to be afraid, to lose something you love, to feel betrayed or abandoned- or to grasp the pain and beauty of being fully alive.
If He hadn't gotten in the pool and become human I couldn't trust Him- much less give my life to Him.
The truth is He did more than get in the water. He actually is the "lifeguard"- not only lapping around us with ropes and lifesaving rings, but putting us in a sidestroke- His arms over our limp bodies, protecting us from the depths, carrying us towards safety.
So even if you can't see the bottom of your pool right now, know that your lifeguard sees you. He knows the depths of your life- and He's been in the pool.
Blessings-
Gari
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Blues and Blahs
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This morning I woke up to gray skies. The sky really seemed to imitate my mood. A bit chilly, drizzly, and an overall dull outlook towards the new day before me.
What happened? The weekend was great. Good friends, good food, good rest, and clear focus. The truth is- the blues and blahs can settle like whispers or screams- but they definitely settle- like unwelcome house guests that don't understand it's time to leave.
My good friend Leanne spoke about this very encounter yesterday in our Sunday school class. I love how the bible explains all the messy details of being human. Being stuck in a rut of despair is certainly one of them.
Elijah was a prophet that was unequaled in power and performance. Think Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth. Then add the fact that he had the power of the living God working in him as he called down fire to prove the false gods of his day a farce. After a huge display of God's power by his hands- word spread to Queen Jezebel that this prophet had destroyed the false prophets that she heartily endorsed. "I'll kill him" she snapped. You'd think that Elijah would laugh in the face of that threat- but instead he ran away, and crumbled under a Juniper tree.
Filled with despair, fear, and exhaustion- Elijah moaned and muttered to the gray skies above him. He fell into a pit of despair. But like my friend says "It's really not a pit, it's a tunnel." The great thing about tunnels is that there is light at the end of them.
We can learn a few things from Elijah as he sunk into his tunnel:
1. When we are worn out, we don't think soundly (like running from a woman's threat when you've just called rain and fire down from heaven...)
2. When we isolate ourselves everything seems worse
3. Self-pity exaggerates and lies
4. When we forget what God has done in our lives, we have no true compass
So as this day turns to dusk, the gray color that has tinted the sky is now turning black- but I truly feel better knowing that tomorrow will dawn with a new color to the sky. And even if it's gray, my heart doesn't need to process it that way.
Blessings!
Gari
P.S.- For my Texas reading friends, join us on Sundays at 9:30, Second Baptist Church in Katy, the Life Application Class- for some great learning, teaching, and fun...
This morning I woke up to gray skies. The sky really seemed to imitate my mood. A bit chilly, drizzly, and an overall dull outlook towards the new day before me.
What happened? The weekend was great. Good friends, good food, good rest, and clear focus. The truth is- the blues and blahs can settle like whispers or screams- but they definitely settle- like unwelcome house guests that don't understand it's time to leave.
My good friend Leanne spoke about this very encounter yesterday in our Sunday school class. I love how the bible explains all the messy details of being human. Being stuck in a rut of despair is certainly one of them.
Elijah was a prophet that was unequaled in power and performance. Think Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth. Then add the fact that he had the power of the living God working in him as he called down fire to prove the false gods of his day a farce. After a huge display of God's power by his hands- word spread to Queen Jezebel that this prophet had destroyed the false prophets that she heartily endorsed. "I'll kill him" she snapped. You'd think that Elijah would laugh in the face of that threat- but instead he ran away, and crumbled under a Juniper tree.
Filled with despair, fear, and exhaustion- Elijah moaned and muttered to the gray skies above him. He fell into a pit of despair. But like my friend says "It's really not a pit, it's a tunnel." The great thing about tunnels is that there is light at the end of them.
We can learn a few things from Elijah as he sunk into his tunnel:
1. When we are worn out, we don't think soundly (like running from a woman's threat when you've just called rain and fire down from heaven...)
2. When we isolate ourselves everything seems worse
3. Self-pity exaggerates and lies
4. When we forget what God has done in our lives, we have no true compass
So as this day turns to dusk, the gray color that has tinted the sky is now turning black- but I truly feel better knowing that tomorrow will dawn with a new color to the sky. And even if it's gray, my heart doesn't need to process it that way.
Blessings!
Gari
P.S.- For my Texas reading friends, join us on Sundays at 9:30, Second Baptist Church in Katy, the Life Application Class- for some great learning, teaching, and fun...
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