When the Thug Kicks in Your Door
“Calamity” is an interesting word. The dictionary says calamity is…
A state of deep distress or misery caused by a major misfortune or loss.
Calamity doesn’t send an evite with an RSVP request. It refuses to knock and ask permission to enter. Rather, calamity barges into a life and demands total attention, and usually it has packed a suitcase full of fears and questions. If I construct a mental image of calamity, I picture him as a pug-nosed bully, a pack of cigarettes rolled up in his worn-out tee shirt sleeve, dirty and smelling like roadkill on a hot day. Calamity busts into the narrative of someone’s life, taking center stage and ordering people around.
Just in my little circle of friends and family I can tick off times when that thug paid a visit:
Going to the doctor for a routine visit and coming out diagnosed with a dreaded disease.
Having a spouse walk out without much warning.
Watching helplessly as a child repeatedly runs their life into the ditch.
An accident that significantly alters how a life is lived.
Going into work to discover that you are no longer needed and let go.
Not to mention forest fires and tornados and hurricanes and blizzards.
And I’m sure you could add to that list.
As a follower of Jesus, you and I aren't immune to the calamities of life, but we do enjoy a resource that is always with us, especially when the bottom falls out. In the Last Supper dialogue, Jesus shares a lot of encouragement for going forward. He said, even though he was going away, he would send the Holy Spirit to indwell every believer. John 16:7 spells this out.
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
The Amplified translation expands on the term “Advocate” and one descriptor they use is “Standby.” The Holy Spirit is our standby and never leaves us alone. This is a wonderful aspect of the work of the Spirit. When calamity struts into our world and when it feels like we are hunkered down in the middle of a dust-storm or swept along by a swollen river of events we cannot control, the Standby is ever-present to help, encourage, guide, and calm our heart with a peace that seems crazy given the crisis. Psalm 46:1 underlines this.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Now, friends, that's good news. The next time (or maybe today!) when you are struggling with a relational eruption, or a health tsunami, or any workplace conundrum, and you sense fear and emotional flailing coming on along with the exhaustion that accompanies it, cry out to your Standby, your Advocate, your Counselor.
Remind yourself of the promise of his presence and draw strength from that. Ask him, while in the midst of your mess, to give you peace in the place of chaos and comfort in the uncomfortable times. You are not alone, and not built to go it alone. The One who stands by you will strengthen your heart to face your life. Today, tomorrow, and all the days of your life.
Time for music...
and a couple of funnies...
A couple of weeks after hearing a sermon on Psalms 51:2-4 (knowing my own hidden secrets) and Psalm 52:3-4 (lies and deceit), a man who had recently become a Christian wrote the following letter to the IRS:
"I have been unable to sleep, knowing that I have cheated on my income tax. I understated my taxable income last year and have enclosed a check for $1,150. If I still can't sleep, I will send the rest."
__________
Nephew: "Thanks for that harmonica you gave me — it's the best birthday present ever!"
Uncle: "Well, that's great! What songs can you play?"
Nephew: "Oh, I don't play it. Mom gives me a dollar a day not to play it during the day and Dad gives me five dollars a week not to play it at night.