Detours to Maturity?

I was reading an article entitled "A Twentysomething Addresses the Church" by Sarah Cunningham and totally understood where she was coming from. But then I remembered: I am a thirtysomething and will only be such for nine more months.

When I was a twentysomething, I loved watching the show thirtysomething on TV. I must have been mature for my age. Does that mean that I am immature for my age now?

I think about this every once in a while. I start to add up all the years I spent detoured in the wrong direction and regret all the wasted time wandering in the wilderness. I calculate that I have spent much of my thirtysomething years off track somewhere. So then I wonder where and who I'd be if I had been more faithful in the past. Did Moses feel this way 39 years after killing the Egyptian and hiding in Midian tending Jethro's sheep before seeing the burning bush (Exodus 2:11-4:17)? Did the children of Israel feel this way 39 after missing their first opportunity to enter the promised land (Numbers 13-14; Deuteronomy 1:19-2:15)?

But then I think about all the things God has taught me while off the beaten path. Thankfully, God used my detours to teach me about Him and to teach me to trust Him more and more. Could God have matured me on the faithful path? I am sure He could have but it may have taken longer or I may never have learned what I know now. I can only guess about what might have been. But, I know for sure that God used my faithless excursions as detours to maturity. Romans 8:28 (New Living Translation) says:

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

If God used those detours to mature me, does that mean I should choose those paths of faithlessness and disobedience on purpose? No way! (Romans 6:1-2, 15-18) I would rather stay in center of God's will for my life, faithfully pursuing becoming like His Son Jesus Christ, living by the power of His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:14-16; Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25).

If you are on a detour to maturity, learn all you can and trust God like crazy. What I have found is that I needed all the instruction which I learned on the detour in order to be equipped for the journey at this place in my life. The detour was hazardous and painful as I struggled in the wilderness until God was ready for me to get on the road to the "promised land" He has planned for me. Obedience and faith, though it too may be a difficult road to follow, is a better path to follow. It requires strength and courage (Joshua 1:6-9) but a joyful fellowship with God through Jesus and by His Spirit on the journey is so much better.

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:6-9 New Living Translation (2004 Edition)

The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. No matter whether you are a twentysomething, a thirtysomething, or a one-hundred-andsomething God will be with you.

P.S.:
The band Jonah33 has a great song called "This Is It (You Instead Of Me)" on their CD The Strangest Day. Here are the lyrics:
Because I’m playing for keeps this time around
I’m in too deep
To think about falling down
And giving up again
I want to live each day just like
It was my last chance to prove
You’re all I have
And that is all I need

CHORUS: This is it—it’s what we’re waiting for!
This is it—it’s all we’re fighting for!
I finally get a chance to show the world
What You have done for me
So let this moment be
You instead of me.

Tired and bruised—every broken bone
Reminds me that I’m far from home
And these scars remind me who I am
But You’re the one
the Reason that I run
And I won’t stop until You’re done
You’re the only hope I have

BRIDGE: I’ve counted the cost and I know
Everything that matters is
Everything worth fighting for

Written by Vince Lichlyter, Joshua B. Dougan, Jeremy Bose ©2005 Photon Music (BMI) & Meadowcreek Music Co. (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved.

All Flash But No Bang

Last night I watched a thunderstorm brewing out of the northwest. In the night sky I saw lightning flashing in the clouds and occasionally I saw bolts hitting the ground through a blurred veil of rain on the horizon. It was beautiful as I watched the lights and streaks in the sky but something was missing. There wasn't any thunder, not even delayed thunder. The storm seemed to be "all flash but no bang." Of course, once the storm reached our town, the lightning and thunder did their usual synchronized flash-bang thing as the rain came down.

There is something impressive about the whole package when a storm brings the brightness of the lightning and the powerful resonance of the booming thunder as the nourishing rain brings new life. Somehow it seems the pounding of the thunder reinforces to me that something powerful is happening. Though I can see the flashing light and can feel the falling rain, I still desire to have my core rocked by the explosions of sound. I want to feel in the thunder the sound of the lightning releasing its powerful electrical charge. So lastnight, I was a little disappointed that I didn't hear the thunder.

I am not doubting the awesomeness of God or questioning His methods of storm production. But I have to ask myself: Why wasn't the display of power in the lightning good enough to bring my praise for God? Why wasn't the knowledge that the much needed rain was falling on drought scorched earth worthy of my thanks? God can do what He wants and will still be worthy of my praise, even though I may fail to give it to Him enough.

Hmm...even though I may fail to give it to Him enough.

Isn't thunder a reaction to the power of the lightning? Thunder, in nature, is an audible sound produced because of the release of the electrical charge in lightning. I wonder: how many times in my spiritual experience have there been times of "all flash but no bang?" Was God disappointed when He didn't hear my respondsive thunderous praise when He was displaying His power in my life? God was moving because lightning was visible as He released His power and the rain could be felt as He poured His nourishing love and strength in my life. Somehow I missed experiencing the thunder. But was this God's fault?

Could it be, spiritually speaking, that praise is like the thunder heard in response to God's power being released? Maybe the praise, or the thunder, should come from those being affected by God's power. It could be that sometimes in my life I haven't praised God as I should or loud enough when I could as His power and blessings were being released in my life.

I want to experience thunder in my life and I think God wants to experience my thunderous praise of His movement in my life. If the pounding of the my praise to God reinforces my admission that something powerful is happening, I need to be more respondsive in my praise.

Because I know God's power is working in my life, May I become the thunder to God's lightning.