Herding Cats and Managing Chaos

I had a fun discussion this past week, with someone about their position in management. Their summation of their job was "trying to manage chaos."  A most interesting description, almost like one I heard just recently when a person muttered that what they did was like trying to herd cats.

Life is a confusing thing and definitely not for wimps. It has many challenges and sometimes the directions are not certain.  And sometimes, reading the manual doesn't help.  I got an item just recently that came with "assembly" instructions, that may as well have bee written by someone trying to create a crossword puzzle. I had chaos in front of me and part 2A looked almost identical to part 10c and the diagram was so small, that you couldn't tell what went where.

We all face dead ends at times, whether financial, emotional, or everyday life. We're not certain where to turn, what decision to make, etc.  Prov.3:5,6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  We must learn that trusting God is the best way, even if we cannot always see the outcome and are not sure within ourselves.  We must stick to what we know to be true (1 Pet.3:13) and trust God to reveal to us the rest in His own time and according to His own will.

Sometimes, understanding is not a requirement for us to start down the path God lays out for us. Proverbs 4:18 says, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter till the full light of day.” (NIV)  We may not even understand until we make it to eternity. But the events, circumstances, and happenings in my life are not coincidence, chance or "luck." We are where we are, doing what we are doing for a reason. One day you will stand in the full light of eternity and view the big picture. You’ll see God’s purpose behind the path he specifically chose for you and then state, "ah...now I understand."

In the meantime, be patient. God knows what He’s doing and part of your circumstance is to see if you trust God in this. God knows what is best for you. He can see the end result, you cannot. All those problems, heartaches, difficulties and delays—all the things that make you ask “why”—one day will all be clear in the light of God’s love. Until then, "Psa 23:4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Jim 

"Dreamer Joe"

"You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good -so that it would come about as it is today, with many people's lives being saved."

Gen 50:20

We do not often think about the impacts that we or our circumstances have on the lives of others. Nor do we often consider what God has in mind when we do certain things. The classic story related in Genesis of Joseph, is one that under circumstances today would embitter some. He was sold into slavery by jealous brothers and thrown into prison on false charges. His rights trampled, his feelings neglected, his opinions shunned and then everyone going about calling him a dreamer. It is amazing that Joseph was able to go through all of this, yet remained free of bitterness or regret. Yet, many today cannot discuss life, their situation, reveal their feelings about race or it seems feel anything without someone saying something, trouncing on us, or putting us down.

What enabled Joseph to do this? Behind even the worst of circumstances. Joseph was able to see the hand of God. Now, this doesn't mean that he liked going through any of these things. But it is interesting in the last chapter of Genesis and in a final confrontation with his brothers, he graciously notes, “You meant it for bad; God meant it for good.”

What then can we learn from Joseph, that can help us in our own lives?

1. Learn to appreciate what you have and quit lusting for what you don't have. Paul wrote Timothy, "But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.(1 Tim.6:6 NASB)." Paul himself, learned this principle (Ph'p.4:11-13), and learned the valuable lesson, that in Christ we can do many things, if we let Him be our sufficiency.
2. You can accept the past. No sin, no action, no choice on your part is too big for God to handle (1 Jn.1:9). Just ask Joseph! Better yet, ask his brothers who ended up relying on him for their survival. Bitterness can chain you to the past if you let it. Let go of your sin, let go of your past and give them to God. Joseph did.
3. Embrace the present. There’s no need to play a “what if” game. The future is in God’s hands; so you’re free to focus on the present. The present is where God's grace is, the present is where we can deal with what is before us. I cannot fix the past, nor can I change the future. I can only deal with NOW.
4. Learn to look expectantly toward the future. God controls your future, and by walking in the Spirit, you can live life to the fullest, without fear. Even when things appear to be dark, you can trust that God is still working out His plan for your life. Job learned this "I had heard about you with my ears, but now my eye sees you; therefore I detest [myself] and repent in dust and ashes (Job.42:5,6)." When we know God, and we walk by His Spirit, the future is always before me.
5. Learn to trust. Paul wrote to the Romans, "Furthermore, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose (Rom.8:28)." God can take care of the past, handle the present, and create the future. Why then would I not trust Him?

Jim