We sometimes forget that life is not a simple, straight process. Not only is life not a straightforward process, but it can become a process we don’t even know how to accomplish. One definition for the word “process” is “a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.” This definition low-key stresses me out. My eyes slide past the beginning and land on the words “a particular end.” It’s like those very words indicate that somehow I have complete control of the end result. This definition may work with washing dishes, setting up a budget, or making a smoothie. This definition may make us feel empowered and offer a great pep talk and a false sense of control, but in the end it can make us feel like we are just missing something. What I have found to be true in my life is that I can make an action plan and take steps toward making it happen but sometimes the particular end I thought would happen simply does not.
Does that mean I am a failure?
Is life just the sum of particular end results?
Life is hard. Unpredictable things happen. We work so diligently to make things predictable and measured. We spend our days planning to achieve results for things that are fleeting and out of our control. When life hands us a result we did not want, we are so thrown off. We object, “I had a process! I had a plan!
Isaiah 43:1-3 says:
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’
So much about the process of life is terribly uncertain. However, there are a few things that are absolutely certain and we must hang on to them.
Verse 1 reminds us that the Lord created you and formed you. You were not just thrown together or a by-product of someone’s desires. The truth is that you were created on purpose. The only particular end result the Lord longs for in your life is to be with Him. He has set a path to set you free, to save you, and take you out of the power of darkness. His process and the end result had you in mind. He has accomplished that. He opens the invitation for us to live a life where our end result has his Kingdom in mind.
Verse 2 addresses the reality of difficult times. “WHEN you pass through the water, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not OVERWHELM you. WHEN you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flames SHALL not consume you.” We don’t plan and calculate hard times in our life. If anything, we do everything possible to avoid them and eliminate them from our process. We want a happy marriage but we want to ignore the water that is drowning it. We want our kids to have it easy so we spend our days clearing the river of any stones that might cause them pain. We want to be liked. We want to do our job well. We want to be in shape. We want to do ALL the things the world says are in line with the way a “good life” goes. We want to show up as the perfect person who has figured out the process. The more we believe we have it figured out, the less we need to trust in a God we cannot see. What happens when our plan fails?
Life has a lot of mystery but one thing is for sure: our processes can not keep hard times away. The waves of hard times in life will continually try to overwhelm us. The fire of disappointment will always be there, trying to consume us.
The Lord says “WHEN”… not “if.” Even if you do not walk with the Lord his word is still true for you. Believe it or not, our perfect process will never be without trials nor will it fully satisfy. His word says…
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12-13
Our plans will fail. Our hearts will be broken. Life will kick us in the teeth and come back to kick again. Let’s not pretend we have life figured out. Let’s not act like following Jesus is the easiest thing ever. It’s not. It is quite messy… right?!? The good news is that we do not have to go it alone.
Jesus offers some very big promises that I am just crazy enough to believe.
Verse 3 reminds us who our God is. “For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” God has made a way for the process of life to end in beautiful redemption. We have a God who suffers right along with us. We have a God who promises to strengthen us. He will keep the water from overtaking us and the fire from consuming us. He will be with you. Ask him! He will one day make everything new. He is your Savior. All else may fail but he will not. He is the only end result in this process of life that we can truly hold on to. He is your Savior. Don’t give up.
Struggle well.