Seattle Stories

Lately, it seems much of what has happened around us in Seattle has been difficult.  Marriages being tested or short-circuited, a child inflicted with cancer, husbands unable to find work, sudden death of a parent, car problems that can’t be fixed, upside-down mortgage that forces a family from their home,  or a computer virus that renders a laptop inoperable.  The list could go on and on.  Many of you are experiencing “upside down” circumstances also, maybe even deeply yourselves.

Jesus tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world.  He commands us to not worry and that His burden is light and His yoke is easy.  These words can sound cliche during times like these – even impossible to believe.  The thought that God is advancing His Kingdom in such situations can be unfathomable.  We, of course, have much for which to be thankful.  What we have seen, heard and even felt regarding Haiti is incalculable compared to what we are experiencing.

What is God doing?  This has been a frequent question out of our mouths since the New Year.  We could simply throw out a few explanations or a few steps to follow and claim our lives are better.  However, as we walk through Scripture, it’s apparent that trouble is a close friend of God’s people and many of these trials never were resolved.  That doesn’t settle well in our minds, because we choose the movies that end happy with all problems resolved and the bad guys in jail.

Recently, at a missions’ fair in Alabama I shared out of Isaiah 61.  The beauty of this passage is that it holds brokenness and healing in the same hand.  Even more magical is how God promises to establish “Oaks” out of  “shoots”.  Essentially, He is growing His life powerfully through men and women who humbly accept their brokenness and allow Him to heal them.  Even beyond this, He promises that these broken ones will be the ones to rebuild cities.  Could it be that the Lord is preparing us more deeply for His Kingdom as He “shakes” our world seemingly upside down?

This Scripture is to what we cling as we drink coffee with, invite into our home, lend money to, pick up at the airport, ride bikes with, study Scripture with, pray with, weep with, travel with, rejoice with friends in their 20s.  We enjoy watching the “Biggest Loser” for many reasons.  One of the exhilarating aspects of this program is how they take men and women who are “stuck” and inspire them to not only lose weight, but live with deeper purpose.  It’s not just the weight that inhibits, but underlying lies and agendas that need healing.  We see friends in their 20’s the same way – the outlying issues/situations is where we begin, but our prayer is that they would embrace God’s honor and realize He wants to grow them to be healthy laborers for Him.

Recently, a friend preparing for a mission trip to Africa was, all of a sudden, accused of bad service during his job at a local restaurant.  He has had a spotless record, but a couple of days before departure was given a bad report by a party of 25 who made him take every plate back to the kitchen!  Also, had just received word that positions might be terminated soon – not the sort of news you want to hear when you’re getting ready to jet to the other side of the world.

Would you pray that these young men and women would not lose heart and think that Jesus’ Kingdom “flips” alongside the world’s system?  We are trusting Him for friends who are emotionally healthy, culturally savvy, relationally wise, and right-side-up Kingdom focused.