A Lot Of Turmoil

2013-08-22 10.50.40There seems to be a “lot of turmoil” about me. Some of it has even “got hold” of me a little. The dictionary definition is this, “a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion.” A state or condition. That tells you it is not “forever” that there is respite.

Job talked about turmoil. After outlining his woes a little he said this, “There the wicked cease from raging, And there the weary are at rest. “The prisoners are at ease together; They do not hear the voice of the taskmaster. “The small and the great are there, And the slave is free from his master.” (Job 3)There is a place of rest.

bird nestWhen I was a young believer I became addicted to going out on the streets and meeting with people to let them know about my friend Jesus. But there was a place where I could not be free of the voices of the lost. It “plagued” me. I would see God move mightily in the streets. Come home and I would still “hear” them. I would head back out.

I became afflicted by the “taskmaster” or the need to do. It took others to come along side me to be able to say “enough is enough.”

Yesterday I had “one of those days.” A day that worked to get me out of the place of rest. It began with the car not starting and my wife missing a doctor’s appointment. I had already been “feeling” the pressure others have encountered. I had to go upstairs and get “thankful.” Just thank God. I did not want to but I knew I “needed” to.

I found myself praying for family and friends for quite some time. Okay, I thought. I came downstairs and began to work and do my job searches. A note appeared. “Please update the version of software you are using.” It was for one of my web sites. I looked at it and thought, “perhaps I should wait and see.” But the note drew my attention. I read the instructions. Here we go.

  • Change the name of the existing theme file. ✓
  • Add new theme file. ✓
  • Back up with clone program. ✓
  • Engage new theme. ✓
  • (It looked horrible. No panic.) ✓
  • Add backed up parameters. ✓

Well, after doing “what they said” my site went down. Completely. And to make matters worse it crashed the server. So my account is on restriction. No repair yet. Almost a day later. (To add insult to injury I was chosen one of the 200 “secret” bloggers they had chosen to monetize each week. That means they pay me “per views”.  Until it is resolved that is not happening.)

Oh, I wanted to panic. To yell, to scream. But I got thankful.

Like many life is currently not like we thought it might be. Turmoil set in yesterday. But it is a state. I went through the feelings of commotion, confusion and started to move towards agitation.  The need to recognize the enemy’s tactic is important.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints…

I am disappointed about the site. I am not interested in another learning curve. The last few weeks has been all learning curves with regard to the site. Like so many I want the end to turmoil. The end to financial issues. The end to the commotion.

That answer lies in our hearts and is released by our mouths. It is one thing to have peace when no one is around and another to carry His peace when it is raining commotion and attempting to confuse you.

My car started. (Hey winter is nearly over.)  At some point my site will be restored. (Or not.) At some point my wife or I will find jobs. Things will change. They always do.

Today looks to be snow day. A day where what you saw last night is already different. Sometimes you don’t just need the change of perspective, but you just need to “cover it up” and forget it for a while. We used to call it “Vermont landscaping” where all the ugliness of fall goes away and the unfinished tasks disappear and everything looks new. (Kind of like where God says “if you aren’t going to take care of it, I got it.” Kind of like His blood took away all our sinfulness.)

For me I expect it to be a day of quiet reflection. A day of respite. Not a day of turmoil or confusion, but peace.

 

 

 

Written by Lee Johndrow

Lee Johndrow

Lee is the Senior Leader of Abundant Grace Fellowship Church in Keene, NH

He is the father of five wonderful children. Married for over 26 years to his wife Tina. Loving life with family, friends, faith, fun and food!


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