There was a little boy who loved baseball more than anything else in the world. So he went out to a field by his house to play. As he began he yelled as loud as he could, "I am the greatest hitter ever!" He threw up the ball and watched as it started coming back down. As it was coming, he swung his bat with every piece of strength he had. The ball hit the ground without a single smack of the bat. He did the same pattern again. "I am the greatest hitter ever!" The ball went up, and back down again without a hit. He listened to the cheers of the imaginary crowd, and tried a final time. The ball went up in the air, and fell yet again, strike three. Finally, it was time for the boy to head back home. As he walked home he thought to himself, "I knew I was the greatest player ever, but I never knew I could pitch like that; I'm the greatest pitcher ever!"
(Paraphrasing of The Greatest, by Kenny Rodgers)
I love this story! It's a story of confidence, perseverance, and more importantly, perspective. That little boy could have hung his head the whole way home and been depressed about his performance. But he gave himself a new way to look at things!
Good or bad, life happens. God brings new adventures and takes us on various trails throughout this life. Each little adventure is a part of who God has created someone to be. These adventures are meant to grow and change someone in order to bring them closer to Christ.
Something that I have learned and have been learning since last summer is that sometimes, I'm really not happy with the the part of the adventure I'm experiencing. The fact is sometimes we climb up mountains, and other times we walk through the lowest of valleys, or get stuck in the thickest of fog. On the other side, we could be walking through beautiful meadows with flowers and sunshine. I don't know about you, but the meadows are my favorite! You can see everything that is coming, and everything is beautiful and warm. I wish I could lay in that warm grass all the time.
What about the times that life does not feel warm and beautiful? What about when it seems like all you can think about is getting out of the waiting period, and just moving on with everything? In those times, I challenge you to remember that being content in where you are and the situations you are in, does not mean you have to be ok with the adventure at that point. You are completely justified in being frustrated, angry, hurt, and impatient. However, something that you can be ok with is that God is still God! He still has control and when you are stuck in the fog, and frustrated that you can't see what is next use the brightest light you have-- Christ! Cry out to Him!
When Habakkuk was in doubt and frustrated this is what God had for him-
Habakkuk 1:5 "Look among the nations, and watch. Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days, which you would not believe, even if it were told to you."
Remember God's ways are different form the way that we would do things. Life does not have to be perfect for us to praise God and be thankful that He is with us in every step of the adventure.
So when life is confusing, and messy, do a handstand and see your situation from a new perspective!
