April 2022
How are you doing? No really, how are you? I ask because as I talk with people, young and old, worry, fear, and just all-around concern seem pervasive. Between the horrific situation in Ukraine, rising gas prices, increasing inflation, crazy outbursts, personal family issues, and the residual effects of the pandemic, it feels as though we are at a tipping point. Will things continue to get worse? Will they turn around? Is there light at the end of this tunnel?
Collectively, our overriding level of concern is high as we wait for the proverbial next shoe to drop. To be totally transparent with you, last month I had a couple of weeks filled with overwhelming stress about things that were not life-threatening, earth-shattering, or even terrible, but rather, had been over elevated in my mind. They – the worries and concerns - became HUGE and out of proportion to the situation. My need to control went into overdrive. Yet, really all I needed to do was sit back let things unfold naturally. And, of course, everything worked out better than I could have ever imagined. I share this because I don’t think I am alone. Uncertainty weighs heavily, a lot is happening in the world and our day-to-day stresses continue.
Recently I began taking art classes at the local community college. It has been fun to challenge my skills and learn new things. This week’s assignment is to create a visual picture with unusual scale and proportion. At its core, this means to mess with your head by making big things little and little things super big. It is to step outside of normal and make something abnormal in size. As I worked on my project, I started thinking that this is exactly what I have been doing with my concerns. I made them HUGE while thinking of God – the creator of the universe - as small, tiny, and impotent. In other words, I had the scale and proportion all wrong!
God is in control. God is still on the throne. God is aware of all that is happening in each of our lives personally. God sees near and far. He is omniscient. No matter what is going on, we take solace knowing that God is omnipotent.
As Tom would often say, “Everything that happens in your life is either caused by or allowed by God.” Tom’s statement works not only for our individual suffering and pain, but also collectively for us as members of our families, churches, and communities. God allows hardship, suffering and even pain for a myriad of reasons - ultimately reminding us that we are His children and fully dependent on Him.
For this month’s highlight, Tom did a lesson in 2006 entitled, “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” at https://www.prioritylivingaz.org/young-tom-audio-archives/2022/1/30/life-lessons-learned. On this particular day, Tom’s teaching was prompted by the author and teacher, John Piper. Piper wrote a letter on the eve of his cancer surgery. (I don’t want to spoil it, but John recovers. Piper is 76 years old and continues to teach, write, and share God’s word.) Please note: In the audio lesson, Tom mentions John Piper’s website and letter which can be found at https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/ten-ways-not-to-waste-your-cancer.
God wants to you go deeper with Him. He wants you to know Him better. Let’s get God in proper proportion and perspective in our hearts, mind, and lives. I can’t promise that what is causing your stress and/or suffering will get better, but looking toward, leaning on, and putting your hope in God will give you peace that surpasses all understanding.
PS: During the last couple of months, we’ve added a few of Tom’s early 2000 Priority Living lessons in the archive section on the Priority Living Arizona website. The new section “Young Tom Archives” can be found at https://www.prioritylivingaz.org/young-tom-audio-archives. Enjoy!