dennis martin papp

Inconsistencies

Is it ten people or fifty?

I can't go out to eat but I can vote.

I could list more. You get it. We're being thrown so many inconsistent messages. 

Some personality types are wired to shrug and say, "Oh well."

Others get frustrated and even angry at inconsistent messages. I fall in category 2.

We like to think that it is possible to be consistent, to put all the ducks in a perfect row.

We like to think if we were in charge it would be different. Yeah. No. 

It is not humanly possible, and the sooner we embrace that truth, the sooner our souls will settle.

Humans are inconsistent. Situations are fluid.

Few situations are so black and white that one-size-fits-all answers work.

Have you ever thought about the way God can use inconsistencies to grow you spiritually?

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change..."

God can use inconsistencies to grow in us qualities like acceptance, surrender, graciousness, and even serenity.

Here's an idea. While in national lockdown experiment with a different path on inconsistencies.

You (I) can do what you (I) always do: Facebook rant! Or we can ask God to grow something new in us.

I choose growth.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

                                            Reinhold Niebuhr

Settling a Disquieted Soul

Already this morning I am agitated. Not angry. Agitated. All stirred up.

Unknown is compounded by unknown. Decision have to be made based on what we do not know. 

I make decisions based on what I know, not what I do not know.

The agitator is not going to stop, but the sense of agitation can be put to rest.

My mind is quieted by two thoughts...

First, I can hear the words our team sang out yesterday, "So we wait, we wait for You..."

When I do not know, I do know that He knows. Wait on the Lord; yes, wait on the Lord. 

Already the agitation slows a bit.

Second, Psalm 91. God's got this! More importantly, God's got us! We are His.

Read Psalm 91 again. Maybe several times today. Read and find stillness for your agitated soul.

Psalm 91

You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in the Lord’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”  (seriously, say it out loud! --dmp)
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
    “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
    if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
    I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”