As I write this, I am in Atlanta, Georgia for my launch. I leave for India in a few days. I am here with my team getting some final training before we leave. We’ve been learning about safety, team unity and logistical stuff that we will encounter every day this coming year.
The last few days before leaving were pretty crazy for me, but it had nothing to do with leaving. I had a bunch of vehicle problems. Of course, right before I leave is when it all happens. I hit the ditch twice and got stuck on the side of the road because of a dead battery twice. Everytime something happened, I would ask the question a lot of people ask, “God, why is this happening to me?” I would mope about it and then ask God to help me. And every time He would. It took a little patience while sitting in a cold vehicle while it was -35 out, but I got through. The answer to my question did come to me at some point and what I heard was something like “Jordan, not everything that happens in life is about you”.
Ouch God.
I was beginning to realize that in life, things don’t always go perfect. I mean, everyone knows that, but we still seem surprised when stuff doesn’t go as planned. When I was in Haiti a few years ago, we kinda had an expectation that things would go wrong and we had to be flexible to work around it. In 3rd world countries, things seem less organized. In Uganda they always reminded me that North Americans are really good at keeping time. I was learning that as North Americans, we like to be organized and have our events and programs planned and on time. And we can get really upset with people when things don’t go accordingly.
So in this week of frustration, of things not going super well, God gave me a peace that surpassed my understanding. I could have got really upset and angry, but I was really calm through it all. God showed me that things don’t always work out perfectly, and that every situation can be lived out in joy. I don’t think this is a message North American’s hear often.
James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)
It’s hard to be joyful in certain situations life brings us. But if God tells us to be, that means it is attainable.
Another thing I have been learning that North Americans have a lot of is entitlement. “I’ve got rights!” is a common term you here. We feel we are entitled to get a good job, to be happy, to get married, to have lots of money, etc. There is nothing really wrong with that, until it gets in the way of God. God may want you to work at a crappy work place, make small amounts of money, and be single for the rest of your life to bring Him glory. If someone’s “rights” are getting in the way of bringing glory to God, who is really “Lord”? If situations are not going perfectly as planned, it could be that God has a better plan. We may not see what that plan is or ever find out, but we can trust in the goodness and sovereignty of God. We can have faith that although plans aren’t going as we hoped, that God is in control. We can walk with peace and a joyful attitude through any situation in life.
Life isn’t about me and my rights. It’s about me partnering with God for His glory. I’m learning to walk with Him everyday and let Him be my focus. I hope this blog encourages you to take the focus off yourself and more onto the One who worthy of all the glory and praise, Jesus Christ.
in Christ,
Jordan Tarant
