Hope

Laws of Life

Psalm 119:160  All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

 

In 10th grade I got smacked in the head with a rock.  And it’s one of my favorite memories of all time.

On a class retreat, they dropped us off in the middle of the forest and left us there – alone.  It’s what they called a “stress hike”.  Working together to find our way back to camp, we were supposed to build relationships.  But it took us hours.

Exhausted and irritated… our patience was wearing thin.  I was walking with a group of girls up ahead, and, far behind us on the path, the boys starting skipping rocks at our ankles.  It was, no doubt, meant to be flirtatious; however, it was just making us mad.

We turned to yell at them.  My girlfriend, as a stern warning to the boys, chucked a big stone down the path in their direction.  Just then, I happened to turn around.  That turn meant my head, not a few feet in front of her, got in the way of that rock.  Ouch.

Newton’s 3rd law of motion held true that day.  For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  And my forehead broke open like a fountain.  Seeing stars for a moment, I fell over.

But here’s where it got completely wonderful… One of the most handsome guys I’ve ever seen was new to our class that year.  And, as my vision returned, I saw him running at full speed down that path towards me.  He swooped me up into his arms and carried me back to camp: fairytale style.

I went to the hospital, got stitched up, and bear the scar to this day.  But Newton’s law served me well that afternoon, as the most handsome-boy-ever had rescued me!

However, Sir Isaac’s not the only one with “laws of life”.   And, generally, as a people, we are not stupid enough to challenge these basic truths we know.

Touch a hot stove = you get burned.  Jump off a building = you fall.   You see where I’m going here…

Whether it’s through personal experience, having witnessed others, or just trusting authorities, there are many things we know not to question.  We simply believe them to be true.

As Christians, we also have laws of life.  Did you realize that?  And these laws will hold true no matter our age, social status, emotional state, finances, health … in truth, our circumstances, whatever they are, will never define these laws, but these laws should define our circumstances.

Because these Biblical truths will always be truths.  We should depend on them in the same way we depend on gravity.

These are but a Teeny Tiny example of the kind of truths I’m talking about.  So be encouraged today:

  • He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Isaiah 40:29
  • But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.  Proverbs 1:33
  • Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28-29
  • Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
  • God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 
  • And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28
  • The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  Isaiah 30:18

And the Bible is FILLED with such “guarantees of living”.  You need to find them.  Accept them.  Trust them.  And CLAIM them.  They will serve to help you in many many ways.

Just as gravity is gravity – regardless of your current emotional state or circumstance.  God is God.  And He IS faithful to His word.   So don’t be surprised when He follows through with what He’s said.

 

 

 

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  • Tricia Menges June 2, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    I love Mondays! Oh…how I love them. Your blogs are the best thing to happen to me in years. Thank you for writing.

    I remember the rock incident well. I remember the cute boy and the blood gushing, but you left out my favorite part. You told me that your teacher sat beside you in the hospital as you got the stitches and sang a hymn to keep you calm. That blew my mind. Now that you have kids, I’m sure you understand what that meant to the mom at home. There were many things that were not up to academic standards at GWA but the benefits of having Christian men and women teaching and caring for you made up the slack.

    • Heather Yoder June 2, 2014 at 4:20 pm

      You want to know why I love Mondays? Because you take the time to read every word of this blog. Seriously, thank you for being so supportive. And, of course, I remember the hymn and the teacher who sang it. I remember the big “I did good” sticker they put on my forehead too. And the friend who left the retreat to sit in a hospital with me. (I also remember not being able to wash my hair – tragic for a 10th grader). AND I remember how well you handled yet another phone call about the latest accident I’d had. 😉

  • debra jean June 2, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    Another great story, Heather! I learn something new with everyone! Love you!!!

    • Heather Yoder June 2, 2014 at 6:56 pm

      Thank you Debra Jean! We were just discussing how much we miss you all. I hope you are doing great and having a wonderful start to the summer (being sweet and kind to everyone around you, to be sure).

  • Erica June 8, 2014 at 4:14 am

    I’m just getting a chance to catch up on the blog tonight. Thank you for the truths shared.

    I love the last 3 lines of this post…so much so, it is being transcribed on an index card for my mirror as a constant reassurance!

    • Heather Yoder June 9, 2014 at 9:54 am

      I thought about you as I wrote that blog. Probably because we shared those high school experiences together. And probably because, the Lord is caring for you in many ways… as He moves many to stand with you in prayer, while you do so much for the kingdom. I love the woman you are. Keep doing exactly what you are doing.