Fast Lane Fantasy

Years ago and for the span of a decade, I commuted a half hour each way to and from the school where I taught.

Needless to say I saw all kinds of drivers: the speed demons and poke-alongs, the weavers and squeezers, the distracted and multi-taskers—each one an accident waiting to happen, each one confident that he or she was not.

One day a young man on a motorcycle whizzed by, darting between vehicles left and right in search of the fastest lane. This was not in near standstill traffic; it was on a stretch of Florida Turnpike where the speed limit is seventy.

Oh, Lord, I thought. Talk about an accident waiting to happen. That boy has no idea the danger he’s creating for himself and everyone else in his path.

A few minutes later I reached my exit and gasped aloud. Lying in the grass in the middle of the cloverleaf turn-off was that young motorcyclist, far separated from his twisted bike.

A few people were already hunched over him, perhaps from the nearby tollbooth area. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw his leg move.

Every now and then that scene comes to mind. I imagine that young man as he straddled his cycle that morning, anxious to be on his way for another exhilarating trip of engine revving, speed, and clever maneuvering.

No doubt a trip to the hospital never even crossed his mind.

The young often do live in a fantasy world of invincibility. And those of us with a bit more life-experience shake our heads at their carelessness.

But fast-lane living isn’t the singular domain of speeders and teenage boys on motorcycles.

Even a retired schoolteacher like me can forget: life is fragile.

Not that I drive recklessly or take foolish chances.

But I am very capable of rushing through a to-do list and missing an opportunity to provide joy in someone else’s life. I can breeze right past the blessings-of-the-moment because I’m focused on something down the road.

I can even forget the values I hold dear, including attentiveness to God and loving compassion for others.

It is downright foolish of me to live in a fantasy of invincibility, as if there will always be plenty of tomorrows for attentiveness and compassion, while cruising along in the fast lane of frenzied activity.

Instead, I’d rather cup my hands around each day and:

Find wonder in the common. “The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribable, magnificent world in itself” (Henry Miller).

Take note of the everyday miracles. “Looking is the beginning of seeing” (Sister Corita Kent).

Hug often. “Hugs are one of the reasons God gave us arms. So stretch out your arms to someone today . . . It will warm the heart of the giver and give light to the soul of the recipient” (Unknown).

Laugh easily.

Value every person. “The way we treat others is more about who we are, not who they are” (Unknown, emphasis added).

Forgive quickly. “Forgiveness isn’t about letting the other person off the hook. It’s about keeping the hooks of bitterness from getting into you” (Gabrielle Bernstein).

Avoid negativity. “Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from negativity” (Unknown).

Choose joy. “True contentment is the power of getting out of any situation all that there is in it” (G. K. Chesterton).

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Lord God, I have so much to be thankful for, including this cloudy, cozy day and the welcome chill in the air. I thank you for this moment, complete with winking candle, hazelnut coffee, and soft music to keep me company as I write.

Thank you also for the designated purpose you ordain for each person.   Because I am still alive, you still have plans to fulfill through me, especially to bless others. For that I am also grateful.

Keep me mindful, I pray, that fast lane living is not only foolish, it is dangerous to my soul.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 19:21; Ephesians 2:10)

What will you cup your hands around today?  Tell us about it in the comment section below!

(Revised and reblogged from September 14, 2017 while my husband is in the hospital after a small stroke. We’re awaiting test results that will determine the way forward. All is well; God is good!)

(Art & photo credits:  www.commons.wikimedia.org (2); www.needpix.com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; Nancy Ruegg.)

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Way Beyond Peanuts and Pretzels

“Will Nancy Ruegg please come to the gate counter,” a voice announced over the airport PA system. My one-track mind was deep into a book but fortunately I heard my name.

What could they possibly want with me? I wondered, while gathering my belongings and approaching the counter.

“Mrs. Ruegg,” began the attendant, “we have a favor to ask of you. Would you mind changing your seat so a father and son can travel together? You’d still be in an aisle seat.”

“Sure—I can do that,” I responded. She thanked me, changed my ticket, and I returned to the waiting area. Sometime later, they called my name again and asked the same favor. Though further back in the plane, I’d still be on the aisle so I said yes.

And then, just before boarding they called me up a third time: “Mrs. Ruegg, because you’ve been so kind, we’d like to put you in first class. We happen to have an empty seat.”

Now imagine if I’d responded, “Oh, no thank you. I’d much rather stay in the main cabin.”

How silly! I would have missed:

  • the relative peace and quiet of first class
  • the blessings of more leg room and a wide, cushy seat that actually reclines
  • the attentive care of the flight attendant, who even addressed me by name
  • the privilege of a full meal and delectable snacks—way beyond peanuts and pretzels

That’s a lot of benefits to pass up, if I’d said no. Yet that’s exactly what we’re prone to do in day-to-day life. We forego a life of satisfying upgrades and settle for a lot of frustrating futility, because we don’t avail ourselves to the benefits Christ offers.

‘Remember what he said?

Many versions of the Bible use the term, “abundant life,” indicating a surplus, a super-abundance of a thing [1].

Of course, Jesus wasn’t promising a trouble-free life, any more than sitting in first class that day solved all my problems. Rather, the abundant life consists of knowing God and experiencing the fruit of that relationship—into eternity [2].

What might “the fruit of relationship” with God include? Some qualities share characteristics with first class on a flight:

  • Peace and quiet—of mind and spirit
  • The delight of many blessings
  • The attentive care of a heavenly Father who knows each of us by name
  • The privilege of access to God’s Word, providing rich soul-sustenance [3]

But that’s not all; the list continues. (No doubt these are familiar to many of you, but seeing them altogether rekindles the wonder, I think):

  • An intimate relationship with the God of the universe
  • His unfailing love
  • Inexpressible and glorious joy
  • Wisdom to choose the best means for the best end
  • Guidance for the way forward
  • God’s help and strength
  • Freedom from guilt and worry
  • Fulfilling purpose
  • Contentment [4]

It’s a magnificent list, isn’t it? So why aren’t we availing ourselves of these benefits?

Instead, we’re sitting in the main cabin of life with the constant rumble in our minds of nagging worries and worthless trifles, the crush of responsibilities pressing in on all sides, and a lack of sustenance to feed our hungry souls.

What will usher us into the abundance of first-class living? We follow the judicious instructions of our Maker—and move toward obedience.

These three steps offer a start:

  • Start the day alert for God’s guaranteed blessings and end the day with gratitude for his benevolent goodness. (See Balancing-the-Scales/).

We’ll soon discover: “A life of holiness is a life of real happiness—happiness for time and for eternity” (John MacDuff).

‘Anyone still interested in peanuts and pretzels?

 

[1] William Barclay, The Gospel of John, 69.

[2] https://insightforliving.ca/read/articles/finding-balance-between-abundant-life-and-challenges.

[3] Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 23:5; Psalm 121; Isaiah 43:1; Jeremiah 15:16.

[4] James 4:8; Psalm 86:15; 1 Peter 1:8; Proverbs 2:1-11 and J. I. Packer, Knowing God;

  Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 41:10; Romans 8:1; Philippians 4:6-7; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 4:11-12.

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Crowded with Happiness

Such a quote sets my mind to reminiscing the many delightful blessings that have crowded our family’s lives with happiness over the years—all manifestations of his awe-inspiring attributes.

And the thought occurred to me, what a gratifying exercise it might be to list a number of God’s traits and name an event to illustrate each one.

Perhaps this list will trigger memories of your own refreshing joys.

WATCHFUL CARE

It was my responsibility to disarm the alarm at church for our Women Connect meetings. After opening the door, a timer ticked off thirty seconds until the alarm sounded. But one morning I couldn’t find the new code in my wallet.

More than a few tense moments transpired while I rummaged, and then, just in the nick of time the slip of paper with the code appeared, and I quickly punched it in.

About half an hour later, our pastor came by and asked, “Do these belong to anybody?” He held up my rubber-banded charge cards, license, insurance cards, etc. They must have popped out as I grabbed the paper with the code, and in the dark hallway I didn’t see them.

PROVISION

I just happened to come across pertinent ideas in Jesus Always (by Sarah Young) that fit perfectly with what I was preparing to share as a devotional for the Mother’s Day Brunch at church. Such a lovely discovery.

CREATIVE POWER

Perhaps you too have stood amazed on the shore of Reflection Lake in Washington State, gazing up at majestic Mt. Rainier, whose peak reaches 14,410 feet and whose base covers approximately one hundred square miles. How mind-boggling to contemplate God’s creative capacities!

COMPASSION

Countless times over the years, when feeling apprehensive about the future, we’ve received God’s comfort through such scriptures as: “Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” (Judges 4:14b). He’s proven everything is under his capable control.  

GOODNESS

Indeed, my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5)! I enjoy the delight of a loving family, wonderful friends, a vibrant church community, Steve’s continuing health after a liver transplant nearly eight years ago, and SO much more.

WISDOM

In hindsight we see God’s astute engineering of events for our benefit. One outstanding example: in 2001 Steve just happened to be assigned as pastor of a church that just happened to maintain a scholarship fund, thanks to a generous endowment and successful fund-raising.

Our younger son just happened to be preparing to enter the ministry. He received a full scholarship to attend seminary, and has now served as a pastor for more than fifteen years.

NURTURING

All my life I’ve been blessed with spiritual teachers and mentors who’ve guided and inspired my experience with God and contributing greatly to my growth in biblical understanding. The instruction of his Word continues to give me much pleasure.

PROTECTION

Another purse story! One day I left my purse at the outdoor student-dismissal area where I taught school. An hour after I’d returned to my classroom from that duty I suddenly remembered. God watched over that purse until I retrieved it, saving me from a heart-sickening and time-consuming setback.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Sometimes spiritual refreshment comes through an experience rather than words.

One morning on my way to school I reveled in a scene worthy of a painting: dark green trees and vegetation reflected from the calm surface of a pond as a great egret gracefully winged across just above it. His brilliant white feathers against the dark foliage provided a breath-taking sight.

The moment felt like a special gift.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

SO many times over the years, circumstances or decisions we’ve been concerned about have turned out “just right,” thanks to God’s leading and provision. One example: our home in retirement, close to our older son and his family, perfect in size and layout.

There you have it: ten of God’s attributes, demonstrated in personal blessings. My heart is indeed crowded with happiness as I remember the wonderful works he has done (Psalm 105:5a).

Now it’s your turn. Please share in the comment section below an example of a “refreshing joy” that has crowded your heart with happiness!

Images credits: http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.easy-peasy.ai; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.canva.com; http://www.unsplash (Aaron Burden); http://www.easy-peasy.ai; http://www.canva.com.

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Mission Impossible

Missionary John Flynn removed his hat to wipe his forehead with a kerchief, then leaned back in his camel’s saddle to drink deeply from his canteen. Neither strategy offered much relief from the heat of the Outback in South Australia, but John scarcely minded.

Camels of the Outback ready to transport wool and other goods.

As a recent 1910 graduate from Melbourne University (with a theology degree), he was living his dream, planted within his heart by God himself—a dream so out-sized, so impossible, some people would find it laughable:

“Your assignment, should you accept it, is to provide for the spiritual, social, and medical needs of people in the Outback.”

That assignment came through the Presbyterian Church General Assembly, to serve in Beltana, a small settlement of less than 200 people–with the surrounding region, about the size of the British Isles.

He’d come to love the Outback in spite of multiple challenges: no communication between far-spread sheep ranchers and miners, no radio service, no medical help for hundreds of miles, and the arid climate with sweltering summers.

Undaunted by these factors, John had set about fulfilling his assignment. In 1912 he presented his report to the Assembly. They then formed the Australian Inland Mission and delegated John as “the first superintendent, responsible for the northern half of the continent” [1].

Mission impossible indeed!

His staff included one nurse who managed the single nursing station, and one traveling “patrol padre” who ministered as he could—from conducting worship services, weddings and funerals, to offering medical aid, and assisting ranchers with their work [2].

John’s team also received five camels for transportation and as beasts of burden.

Within a year, John had overseen the construction of the first Outback hospital, paid for by a generous friend. Always, he was traveling, helping in any way he could, and sharing about the wonderful life-change Jesus offers.

Young John Flynn

He considered his impossible mission an honor:

“If Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Son of Almighty God; if He was in reality ‘God with us,’ showing us the Father; if it is a fact that we only sojourn on this earth for a while, and then appear before the Creator of the universe . . . what more honourable [sic] calling can a man follow than getting his fellows to realise [sic] this fact and act upon it” [3]?

In 1917, John received a letter from Clifford Peel, a lieutenant in the Australia Air Corps. He’d left medical school to help Britain fight against Germany.

Australian bombers, World War 1

Clifford explained he’d read about John’s work and suggested aeroplanes might be useful in providing medical care to remote areas. John too became enthused about the idea.

Had Clifford survived the war, he undoubtedly would have sought to join John in his work. But weeks before Germany’s surrender, his plane disappeared over France.

It was up to John to bring Clifford’s idea to life—a challenge that would take ten years. First was the cost—hundreds of dollars for just one plane, not to mention pilots, fuel, mechanics, landing strips and more.

 Another impossible mission.

But for John that word impossible just fueled his determination. He launched The Inlander Magazine that highlighted Outback conditions and needs, suggesting ways that life could be improved. Thousands of people donated to the cause [4].

In 1928, the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) became a reality with a rented plane from a new airline, Qantas. Within the first year, Doctor St. Vincent Welch visited 255 patients [5].

One of first Qantas airplanes

Of course, such visits would have been impossible without a way for people to contact the FDS. John had inspired inventor Alfred Traeger to solve that problem. He designed a pedal-operated generator to power radio receivers [6].

During World War II, FDS provided medical care to troops and civilians in Australia and other areas of the Pacific region. It soon became apparent the ministry greatly strengthened Australia’s position against the Japanese [7].

Medical care wasn’t John’s only dream. His vision included support for the children being homeschooled in isolated areas, who rarely had contact with other children or teachers.

School of the Air was established in 1951, using the FDS radio network. Children could interact with others, ask questions of their teacher, and supplement their correspondence lessons [8].

John Flynn died of cancer that same year. Imagine his pleasure to know the Royal Flying Doctor Service (renamed in 1955) still functions today.

In fact, his impossible mission has grown to impossible size. More than 900 patients receive care each day in one of the 22,000+ RFDS clinics, or by aeromedical transport in one of eighty-three planes, based in twenty-three locations, as well as many by telehealth consults [9]. In addition, School of the Air still ministers to Outback families.

Perhaps even John Flynn would marvel at the outcome of his impossible mission. Then again, he’d probably just smile and softly quote Matthew 19:26:

 

[1] https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/people/john-flynn-obe/

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2021/10/13/the-royal-flying-doctor-service-and-the-rev-john-flynn/

[4] https://vision.org.au/read/articles/episode-247-john-flynn/

[5] Ibid.

[6] https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/news/how-alfred-traeger-gave-outback-its-voice/

[7] https://medrecruit.medworld.com/articles/the-history-of-the-royal-flying-doctor-service;

https://vision.org.au/read/articles/episode-247-john-flynn

[8] https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/about-the-rfds/history/john-flynn-bio/

[9] Ibid.

Other Sources:

https://www.chr.org.au/schools-content/2.-John-Flynn

https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/dailystory/permalink/rev-flynn-advocated-a-flying-ambulance-for-australias-outback

https://didyouknow.org.au/johnflynn/

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Thank Ahead

No, that’s not a typo in the title, although I can see why you’d think so. We’re much more accustomed to the reminder, “think ahead.”

But recently I came across that title-phrase in Debora M. Coty’s book, Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate [1].

She suggests we turn hindsight—for all God’s previous provision, guidance, and blessing—into foresight and trust his care for us in the future, to thank him ahead of time for what he’s going to do (pp. 115-116).

A doubter might say, “That seems a bit presumptuous. Everybody knows God doesn’t always give us what we want. Thanking him ahead of time for what we may not receive doesn’t make much sense.”

Our doubter is partially right: God doesn’t cater to our every desire, no matter how fervently we pray. But that’s a good thing. Surely all of us can think of a deeply held desire that seemed within God’s will, and we repeatedly asked him to supply it, only to be disappointed.

We’d do well to remember what Puritan minister John Flavel wrote long ago:

We might begin to thank ahead by expressing gratitude for such blessings as deeper confidence in God as we cling to him in trust, greater strength of character that’s growing within, and important life-lessons learned as we wait [2].

But that’s not all.

To thank ahead is a step of faith in what we know.

For example: God turns all things to good for those who love him. We may not see what that good is until we get to heaven, but we know our perfect God always works things out perfectly, in his perfect timing [3].

To thank ahead prepares the heart for what God will do.

Let’s say we need a new car. It would be quite impudent to expect a new Corvette ZR1X and thank God for it ahead of time. But we can be grateful he’ll supply our need of transportation and give us the patience to wait, if necessary, until his chosen moment for provision [4].

To thank ahead turns our minds from worthless worry to uplifting truth.

Why is it our minds love to whirl around anxious thoughts? The act of faith-fueled gratitude shifts our focus from our concerns and problems to God’s attributes and promises.

Psalm 145:7-8 offers a list of attributes to get us started:

Let’s celebrate, not agitate!

Many of you know of George Muller . . .

. . . who built and superintended orphanages in Bristol, England during the 1800s. Over the sixty years of his ministry, thousands of children received loving care within those facilities and learned about Jesus.

Muller was known for his devotion to prayer. He never asked for funding or borrowed to meet expenses.

One morning there was nothing to feed the children. George instructed the housemother to seat the children in the dining room as usual. He then thanked God for the food–and waited. George knew God would not let the children go hungry.

Soon a baker appeared at the door. “I couldn’t sleep last night,” he explained. “And somehow I knew you’d need bread this morning. So I got up and baked three batches for you. I’ll bring it in!”

Minutes later a milkman knocked at the door. “My cart has broken down here on your street, Mr. Muller. It’ll spoil by the time we get the wheel fixed. Could you use some free milk?”

And the ten cans of milk provided just enough for the 300 children [5].

Notice: In this case, George did nothing to solve the problem. He simply trusted and waited.

George knew:

By thanking ahead, we’ll grow such unwavering trust in our own hearts.

[1] Another thrift store find, published by Barbour, 2013.

[2] Hebrews 12:11

[3] Romans 8:28; Ecclesiastes 3:11

[4] Philippians 4:19; Lamentations 3:25

[5] https://www.georgemuller.org/devotional/a-famous-story-about-mullers-faith).

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