Pastor John Piper has said, “Occasionally, weep deeply over the life that you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Feel the pain, then wash your face, trust God, and embrace the life that He’s given you.” Can you relate to these words? Has God placed you in a season of accepting what He has for you rather than what you envision or desire? Has God allowed unforeseen circumstances to thwart your plans, and you are left wondering what God is doing?
God has a purpose for every curve ball that comes your way. Most curveballs come from your horizontal relationships with others. You are constantly bumping into your spouse, kids, parents, siblings, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Your sinful nature plus their sinful nature causes for messy moments. What I envision versus what you envision often doesn’t match up, and tension builds that needs to be worked through.
My husband and I are in a season of curveballs. God led Rob to retire almost a year and a half ago. He’s finding that he may not have been ready to retire, so, what now? God has always led me to my next purpose. Now, I find myself in a waiting time and have no idea what is next. I pursue things but God is not opening any doors. Thankfully, God is leading me through His Word. I am where I am supposed to be, for now.
Both of us are independently wondering what God wants us to learn and do. We battle with another curveball that we didn’t anticipate, and that is both our children moved to other states; neither are close by. This leaves us with more open time when we aren’t visiting with them. Rob didn’t expect retirement to be how it is, nor I didn’t expect to find myself in this drawn out waiting season.
I know a couple who’s son and his family don’t want any connection with them anymore. I hear that’s a trend in families. I know a woman who is needing to be proactive in not getting breast cancer so she’s deciding to get a mastectomy. Hurricane Melissa is barreling down on the islands in the Caribbean. Lives will be changed. My brother-in-law was clearing paths in the woods only to have a branch whack him in the leg. It’s fractured. A woman fell six feet off a retaining wall onto cement. She is recovering from 2 broken wrists and a broken elbow. God throws curveballs.
How do you handle life’s curveballs? Amy Klutinoty says this, “Staying calm through any situation and refusing to let people provoke me to anger or simply handling things the way the old me would. ‘God, please guard my words, guide my emotions and help me to remain steady when challenges rise.'”
You handle curveballs by surrendering your will and letting God bring about His will through you. You talk to God all day long, letting Him lead your moments. You stay in His Word allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you with Himself. When you are filled with God, all your moments become purposeful with eternal value.
Lean into more words from John Piper, “The more deeply you walk with Christ, the hungrier you get for Christ. If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It’s because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this.“
God throwing curveballs is for you to stop living lukewarm for Him. Stop living with one foot in the spiritual realm and one in the carnal world. It is may be His wake up call for you or He desires to lead you deeper in faith with Him. When you aren’t understanding what is going on, take that as opportunity to hang out with Jesus and let Him show you. He is calling for more trust and obedience from you.
“But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult you.” (Psalm 5:11 ESV) May your life and mine glorify the Lord!
Carol J German 