It's my Life
A study with Kenny Metcalf
12-21-2005 Journal
Jon Bon Jovi said it in his song… “It's my life”
No it's not!
And for anyone who has ever faced a serious illness that you have no control over, or some other tragic event or loss, and can't find any solutions or answers for them, and you've asked “WHY”, you quickly come to learn that circumstances and stuff can happen that make that statement “It's My Life” just “foolish chatter” with no real depth or substance to it.
It makes for a fine rock and roll song but carries no real weight or nutritional value.
People facing issues that they cannot personally change, find themselves in a whole different reality than those who have “not yet” had to face life threatening or life changing events, life changing issues. These people have come to realize... I am not in control! It's not my life!
Then these questions surface...What is the real plan for me? How do I fit in His plan?
That phase of reality changes your way of thinking and challenges your very thoughts and being/existance. Things that really matter in this life are constantly in your face and the other stuff is quite empty.
Life as it was with the “pursuit of happiness and dreams” no longer is reality and some even long to get back to “OZ” the land of MY dreams, My Plans, My Life.
Here is a simple example of what I am speaking about..
E.g., Having nice cars, motorcycles, jewelry, homes with yards & pools, amusement park passes, money to go places etc. is great, but when reality sets in and you're too ill to use the stuff, their value and importance diminishes, there is no enjoyment in those things.
Or....
e.g. If the people driving the white car knew that a red car was going to run the red light and hit the white car killing all inside, they would have made a point of not moving into the intersection at that specific time making preparation for their life to continue on as planned.
Life is a daily crap shoot for those who don't know Jesus, but not really, God has everything planned. EVERYTHING!
Why does bad stuff happen to Good people? Why does good stuff happen to Good people? ...............................
Why does bad stuff happen to Bad people? Why does good stuff happen to Bad people?
God is the God of the just and the unjust.
He created everything, the good and the bad.
His ways are not our ways.
His thoughts are not our thoughts.
God's plan is eternal and reaches far beyond this temporary dwelling. His plan included making sure this short stay was interesting, would serve a purpose (his purpose) but also with redeeming value that would bring us to him, to be in his presence for all eternity.
It's Not Your Life… You were bought with a price the bible say's. But we don't get the clue.
Even if you don't believe in Christ… life is not yours and is not in your control. The auto accident example is proof enough.
You find that your life and your plans are not in your hands to do with as you please. It is the same for all people, but most don't know it or see it that way when they have everything going for them or working out right.
It might appear to be going how you planned it, but one day you wake up to find your world is not in your control.
That reality WILL face everyone at some point in their life.
Death is one of those times.
Billions of people have made that right of passage before us and we too are shortly going to add to the list.
Take a day to walk through a cemetery sometime and read the names or even look at the laser cut faces now done on the tombstones… these are the people that have faced death and dealt with it. We read their names and cannot relate to the fact that they were living here not so long ago and they had dreams and goals like us but those dreams and goals were cut off suddenly by something far greater than them and they had NO CONTROL over that decision for their existence here to end. IT'S NOT YOUR LIFE.
Jesus told Peter… “When you are old Peter, others will carry to where you do not want to go” signifying his death ( Peter was crucified,). God had it planned out not Peter, and I'm sure Peter would have planned his ending to be a something more suitable for his liking.
Peter did however suggest being crucified upside down so not to be crucified the same way his Savior had been killed.
Wow, and unpleasant ending for a man who loved God.
Yep, John the Baptist… beheaded.
All the apostles died horrible deaths (John the Revelator didn't die, but he was boiled in oil while trying to kill him). When they were unable to kill him they exiled him to the Island of Patmos and that is where he had the Revelation of the book of the Revelation.
God has a plan for your life, and you don't have control. Destiny is evident and his plan and where you fit in has already been mapped out. It might be pleasant, but I think not for the majority. “Mans days are short and full of trouble” the bible say's.
We as Christians live by the clichés' My life is not my own… I was bought with a price… I die daily… my life belongs to Christ… I am in Gods hands… I am a servant of the Most High God”
We are guaranteed serious troubles just by being born and serving Christ is a certain guarantee you will have serious troubles ahead, but for those who love God, you will also have access to something that the world will not have as they face their storms… PEACE.
Think again next time you think you are in control of your life. “Life is but a vapor”
And God has a plan for your life, but that plan is up to him, and that plan does not mean all things good will happen in your life, be he does say that he will even use the evil things for good, and that he will never leave you or forsake you, and that he is with you always… even unto the ends of the earth.
Life is not about you and your plans. Life is about God, his plan, and how he decides your life is going to be to suit his needs and perfect plan.
Dr. James Dobson said “When young believers or new believers accept Christ, they are told “God has a plan for your life and it's going to be wonderful” It's true he does have a plan, but it might not be so wonderful as you go through it.”
The Christian church has failed equip and to pass along that truth.
Sobering thought isn't it.
Kenny out
