This morning I checked X to see what was trending. Usually if there is something that happens, people will be talking about it. This morning “Life is 10%” is trending. I clicked on it pretty sure what it was going to say. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond. I have found this to be so true in life.
Our response to Life is so important. If you know me well, you know I love observing human nature. Watching various personality tropes respond to the same situation can be intriguing. How we respond to “life” not only affects us, but also those around us. When I’ve seen people have very negative responses before it takes restraint not to respond in a similar way. I always tell our son: let it go in one ear, out the other and zip your lips.
As I am working through reading the whole Bible this year, I’m now in Exodus. Last night I read through the account of how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. I’m currently reading their first experiences in the wilderness after the Miraculous escape through the Red Sea on dry ground. Yes they celebrated that astounding Miracle but soon after began grumbling. I like to try to imagine what I would do in their situation. I think, surely they are impacted by what could have only been a divine intervention from God. But as I trudge through the imaginary “Wilderness” where there is bitter water and no food, I understand how they could whine. Perhaps they thought, “In our slavery in Egypt, at least we knew what was the norm”. That’s a possibility to consider. However as we walk with God, we have to trust Him with what is unseen.Therein lies Faith!
Let’s talk about the “wilderness” for a minuet. While I’ve never been in a desert before, I’ve seen pictures. I can imagine what it would be like. However, if you think of wilderness as in hardships in life, I totally get that. I know what the desperation feels like when you come to the end of yourself and all that’s left is God. I know that overwhelming feeling when everything seems to go wrong and I finally just laugh out loud and say “what’s next?” Godly strength is usually what ends up being Next. Strength to get through whatever the day holds is usually what’s next, when we TURN TO GOD. A Godly perspective that we don’t typically have is sometimes what’s Next when we TURN TO GOD. That’s the bottom line, turning to God!
We are all human. God knows our weaknesses and He is there to help us. Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding for us. He constantly has His Father’s ear. In John 16 we find the following verses: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” John 16:13-15 ( NLT) Now that is truly AMAZING.
Just think about that source of Power we have in the Holy Spirit! We need not be afraid or anxious, but PRAY. I can honestly tell you that I can’t do it, BUT HE CAN. Paul’s tells us this very thing in 1 Corinthians 12. I’m just going to share the following verse but go back and read the whole chapter. it is so encouraging. Paul writes, ““Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) This is just a little food for thought. Seek the Lord in that 90% of life when you are responding to what happens to you.
We all have different situations and they are all challenging in different ways. Some are more isolating than others. I will share one relatively little thing I experience. No matter where I am I can always feel left out. With people who can hear, I miss chunks of conversation because of my hearing loss and limited vision. When I am with deaf friends, I can feel like that too depending on if I can “see” the sign language. That depends on lighting and distance. (and let me tell you, you have to be fairly close.) Yesterday I had lunch with some deaf friends and one hearing friend. I guess I understood the hearing friend best because she speaks as she signs so if I miss something I pick it up with her voice. One friend was across the table at an angle and I had some trouble seeing her. Across the table at an angle. There is also the technology perks, or lacks on my end. They can all FaceTime but I have trouble with it and fall through the cracks since I don’t FaceTime. When FaceTiming I can see the person on the screen of my iPad but can’t see if my “signing” is in the upper frame. It’s just one of those things where I get left out. But I remind myself, God is with me. With Him I am never “left out”. So I guess this is an example of the 10% of what happens. My response determines the outcome. Do I go with my feelings of being left out or do I Let it roll? I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t bother me to a degree, but I do Let it roll. God is much bigger than our feelings. As I prayed this morning I said “Lord show me what to do with where you have me. Show me how to glorify you in each area where you place me.” I know He will. As surely as things seem to die in the winter when things visibly stop growing. Deep in the darkness of the earth, roots are still strong and waiting to rise up again and bloom. That’s what we should aim to do in the 90%. Bloom where ever you’re planted, for the glory of God. Have an amazing Saturday. You are loved!
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