In one of my father-in-law’s favorite musicals, The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews sings about raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, crisp apple strudels and…mittens. The idea behind the song is that when faced with challenges and fears, one can find relief and strength in merely thinking about his or her favorite things. I can make the bad things go away if I just think about things that make me happy. We all have such lists, whether they are explicit or tucked away in our subconscious. Somehow, the complicated circuitry of our brains gets meshed with memories, conscious and otherwise, in our minds. This creates a haven, a fortress where we are safe from, “the bite of the dog, the sting of the bee, and feelings of sadness…” or so the song goes.
What are your favorite things? And do our lives consist of such things? I think back on some of mine: the thrill of battling a fish fighting for its life, flaky yet chewy green onion pancakes, dumplings at once both juicy and crispy, losing myself in playing music and singing with all my heart, taking a long walk on the beach, holding my wife, chasing after my kids as they squeal with laughter and hoisting them up on my shoulders, Roma’s pizza… These are a few of my favorite things. The fact of the matter is that I cannot experience any one of these right now. The list goes on.
Now please don’t get me wrong. I’m very grateful for all that God has spared and is restoring in me. I know many who have it so much worse than I do. Besides, God is making me better almost daily. I’m grateful and I praise His name in public every chance I get. I’m even learning to enjoy salads with no carbs! But my point is simply this: if my life consisted of the things aforementioned, then right now, I would have little reason for living.
God, in His infinite love and wisdom, has summoned a wonderfully terrible test for me. Eight months ago, He radically turned my world upside down by taking away many of my favorite things in one devastating swoop. What is my response? Will I still be true to the Giver of blessings even if He allows blessings to be taken away?
This question leaps out of theory into reality when the dangers or difficulties we face become adult-sized. What if the challenges are bigger and more real than barking dogs, passing storms, or insect bites? What if sickness, lingering pain or severe disability raises its ugly head? What if I’m faced with the sudden devastating loss of something or someone that means more to me than everything else in life? What if all my favorite things are gone? Can I go on? I remember a young woman I met in Bible school who lost her husband shortly after her honeymoon. I have no idea how she could remain sane let alone devoted to her God.
Jesus puts it this way. Even when one has an abundance, one’s life does not consist of these things (Luke 12:15). Even spiritual power and authority are not the end all. Jesus says, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Paul put his relationship with Christ singularly at the very top of his list. “Now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Simply put, make Jesus our favorite thing and we can face any and all of life’s challenges… and overcome.
Now I don’t wanna make myself sound like some brave spiritual giant. The fact of the matter is this whole experience has shown me how weak I really am. Honestly, I’m a wimp. I’m very glad that the Lord is compassionate and gracious (Psalm 145:8-9). He won’t allow me to go through a temptation beyond what I can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), but will always provide a way out.
I actually believe we have turned a corner and God is healing me at a more visibly rapid pace now than ever before. It is now time to aggressively rebuild the strength, dexterity, and coordination to my left side. I believe this is not because I’ve demonstrated the patience of Job, but rather because God, in His divine mercy, knows that I’m maxed out and can’t take anymore. He is a compassionate Father and He remembers that I’m but dust (Psalm 103:13-14). I, emulating the Apostle Paul, boast in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). But unlike the Great Apostle, I’m tapping out early. See 2 Corinthians 11:23-31. May God’s power be perfected in me. The Lord is good and His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).
Thank you so much for your support and prayers. May we all grow in making Jesus our most favorite thing.