You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me!

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

Sound familiar? How many times have you uttered those words? If you’re like most of us you’ve said them before, and you’ll probably say them again.

Often, we’ve said that phrase in desperation to an event or situation that we’re suddenly facing and wasn’t planned. You know the scenario, a flat tire, a sudden break down of an appliance or your vehicle. Perhaps even a news report that catches you completely off guard. Whatever the case it usually is something we were not expecting, and it takes us by surprise. For some it’s followed up with “Now what?” or “What’s next?” Times like these we feel like we’re never going to get a break. But it’s life, isn’t it?

We get surprised by life. Things that we didn’t see coming suddenly appear. Our best developed plans can’t foresee that untimely event. It is why I often say that life happens while we’re making other plans. But in the end, it’s not what happens to us but rather what we do with what happens to us. When we allow the events of life to control us, we give our control away. Although it’s true that we often can’t control what happens, we can control our responses. When we see ourselves as the victim, we become powerless, but it’s always a choice.

Have you ever wondered if God has ever used that expression? Do you think He has looked down at your life and shook his head and uttered, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Yeah, probably not. I have though wondered if he’s laughed at my shenanigans. I’m really good at taking one step forward and two steps back. Finding that I’m on my second or third trip around the same mountain seems to happen much too much.

Perhaps we’re looking at the problem or situation from the wrong position. Maybe what has taken place is there to teach us something, something that we wouldn’t have learned otherwise. Perhaps it’s happened for me rather than to me. Think about it