Karma or God

I opened my eyes this morning and heard the birds singing. I grumbled. Then I looked outside. Not a cloud in the sky. I felt the chip on my shoulder grow. I walked outside and was faced with a beautiful, perfect, warm, but not too humid summer day. Now I started taking it personally.

Why do I always have to work on the pretty days?

I was off yesterday. It rained. My car needed all four breaks changed. I couldn’t place my Iphone order. The shipment I was expecting for a meeting could not be found. The plane ticket I bought to go to Florida is on the only airline that is on strike. And come to think of it, I haven’t had a date in over a year.

I called my sister and complained. “I’m sorry”, she said, “but what are you gonna do?”. Easy. Nurse my bitterness.

Do you ever feel like the entire universe is lined up against you, like there is some big cosmic joke and you’re the butt of it?

Except that I don’t believe in fate, karma, or some big universe strategically plotting to ruin my day.

I believe in God. I believe He controls my life. I believe He uses circumstances to get a hold of my heart. What is it that I want more than anything else in my life? What is it that I fear most? What or who controls my reactions?  Do I seek to please and serve myself, other people, or Jesus Christ?

In II Corinthians 4:8 Paul says this: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed, always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”

Are you manifesting Christ-likeness in your actions, even in the little inconveniences you face?

God uses difficulties and trials for many reasons. Sometimes He’s simply trying to get your attention. Other times He’s using trials to shape you into the kind of man or woman He knows you are meant to be.

When faced with inconveniences, will you gripe, or will you grow?  Will you get bitter, or will you accept the situation and become better. Better in your trust. Better in loving others. Better in giving up your rights to yourself. Better in your worship.

Of course it wouldn’t be a perfect day if I didn’t hit bumper-to-bumper traffic on the way to work, and get stuck behind a major car accident. But just as I was reflecting over my miserable morning, the lyrics of this song crept up from the speakers into my brains. Perhaps the words will help realign your perspective as they did for me:

The greatest day in history, death is beaten

You have rescued me

Sing it out Jesus is alive

The empty cross, the empty grave

Life eternal you have won the day

Shout it out Jesus is alive

He’s alive

Oh happy day, happy day

You washed my sin away

Oh happy day, happy day

I’ll never be the same

Forever I am changed

That’s what it’s all about. Sins forgiven, freedom granted, life eternal.  Everything else pales in comparison to knowing Jesus as Lord.

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