Monday, February 27, 2012

Leah Moments


One of the difficult aspects of Christian life is trusting God, even during rough times.  

The Old Testament character Jacob had rough times.  One of the roughest took place after working seven long years for the 'love of his life,' Rachel. Approaching Rachel's Daddy, Laban, Jacob said: ‘Give me my wife.  My time is completed, and I want to [get married].”  (Genesis 29:21). 

But did Laban play fair?  No Laban played rough, yes hosting a wedding, but switching the brides!  Instead of  bringing Rachel to Jacob’s wedding night, Laban brought Leah, his oldest daughter.  Apparently Leah’s veiled face and Jacob’s alcohol consumption at the wedding feast prevented Jacob from telling the difference.  In any event what results, is one of the more humorous episodes in scripture. And so Jacob entered into his wedding night, thinking he was with Rachel; but “…when morning came [he rolled over, and], there was Leah!!”  (Genesis 29:25).  

Can you imagine such a thing happening?  But such a thing does happen.  Oh maybe not on your wedding night, but on other nights and days.  Bottom line:  we all have ‘Leah Moments’ – moments when we’re totally shocked, encountering rough, unexpected episodes.  

How do you handle rough episodes?  A few suggestions:
  
  • Cancel The Pity Party.    If you’re like me, I feel I don’t deserve rough episodes; I mean I’m special! – and so I pout.  But scripture is clear:  “…rain falls on the just and unjust alike…”  (Matthew 5:45) – so get over it!

  • Remember:  This Too Shall Pass.  Yes bumps occur, but bumps also pass.  It’s interesting: the 23rd psalm tells us, there will be the valley of the shadow of death; but the 23rd psalm also tells us, we will “…walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” (Psalm 23:4). This too shall pass. 

  • Remember: Rough Moments Often Produce Good Outcomes. It’s ironic: but rough episodes often result in profitable results.  There’s a classic story about a missionary who was deathly sick; in addition, her support check didn’t arrive, and so for the next month, she had to live on a 30 day diet of oatmeal and canned milk.  Well finally help showed up, and the missionary was shipped back to England for treatment.  But then the shocker: as her doctor investigated her aliment, he broke into tears.  “Thank God your support check never came!!” he cried. ‘Frankly if it had, you’d be dead!  You see the only treatment for your ailment was: a thirty day diet of oatmeal and canned milk!” 

It's hard to fathom:  but unexpected things are often useful things.  Bumps can benefit!   And so look at your 'Leah Moments' as learning moments -- when you grow in mind-boggling, disconcerting...but critical ways.

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