Perspective


"Who made the mountains, who made the trees
Who made the rivers flow to the sea
And who sends the rain when the earth is dry
Somebody bigger than you and I."

Actually, "Who's in charge here," predates the aforementioned questions.  I find much too often, that I've fallen in the trap of assuming too much---especially the critical, make-or-break, aspects for which I take ownership.  Yes, all of it. However, when it becomes clear that I am failing, or have failed, I fall into the abyss of blaming "Somebody bigger than you and I."

Mind gymnastics produce insane behaviors.  Self-recrimination runs amok, yes, but I continue looking for an "out." I mean well. I use tried-and-true problem solving and decision-making methodology.  It's worked before; why not now? And on and on and on until I throw up my hands and retreat.  Then sulk and send a gilt-edged Pity Party Invitation addressed to moi. 

While "repetition brings about retention," it also embraces a form of insanity/  No, I'm not "crazy as a mad hatter" as much as I crave certainty and comfort.  I want to make everything right, if not perfect.  Okay.  So, what must I do?  Go back to the drawing board? Ask the same probing questions I would ask after a sure-fire setback? Like, did I make the mountains, the trees, the rivers flow to the sea? Do I send the rain when the earth is dry?  Oh.

Prescient questions unfold. "Who is the Somebody? Do I know Him? How would I go about learning more about Him?" Hmm.  Humble myself under the mighty hand of God?  Help! I need somebody!

"HelpI I need somebody
Help! Not just anybody
Help! You know I need someone
Help!

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me?"

 But not just anybody! None of these queries or pleas occurs with the snap of a finger or the blink of an eye.  Did I hear that the heart needs to be engaged? Yes! How? "Ask and it shall be given you.  Seek and you shall find.  Knock and the door will be open to you?" (Matthew 7:7).  I remember years ago when a middle-aged woman in a "country church" in unincorporated Las Vegas, sang chorus after chorus of, "I turned it over to Jesus and I stopped worrying about it (and finally concluded) He worked it out!" 

How quickly amnesia sets in.  How quickly I get swallowed up in the hustle and bustle of "the good life" and rush headlong into problems of my own design! Innocently, yes.  But dangerous.  I keep having to learn the same lesson:   In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5).  When life segues from bleak to bleakest, the prescription doesn't change.  It needs only to be renewed.

When I grope in a blackness that I can literally feel lie the wind and fear chokes me into a shameful surrender, I must stop and declare, 

"I can depend on God,
I can depend on God.
Through the storm, through the rin
Through sickness, through pain
I can depend, I can depend
I can depend on God." 

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