Calm in the Chaos

I had planned to write something else today, but this morning I found out that one of my mentors, and an amazing man of God, passed away very unexpectedly on Monday.  Henry was the pastor of a wonderful church in California and I have known him for many years.  He was a part of my ordination process, and I have been blessed to work with him on many different projects over the years.  There are two people that I have always tried to model my life as a pastor after, and Henry is one of those two. 

Henry was one of the calmest people I have ever met.  He seemed to never get flustered, but always exhibited a wonderful sense of peace and faithfulness.  Even when the rest of us were running around like chickens with our heads cut off in panic, Henry was sitting there calmly.  He would then always say something about God’s faithfulness, or how God was in charge, that would always stop us in our tracks.  He seemed to naturally exude faithfulness and a peace that only God can give.  His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the world around us.

Our world seems to revolve around chaos at times.  Many of us tend to move from one chaotic event to another.  If everything is calm, we feel like we have missed something.  If we can’t think of anything wrong, we must have forgotten something.  I have even met people who seem to generate their own chaos throughout life.

One of the many wonderful things about being a child of such a faithful and caring God, is that we don’t have to worry.  “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:25-31 selected verses.   

Many times we know in our minds that God can provide for us and take care of whatever the current problem is, but we don’t believe it in our hearts.  We don’t really believe that God would intervene, that God really is in charge, that God really does want what is best for us.  But He will and He does!  God loves us with an unfailing, never-ending love and nothing can ever separate us from that love (Romans 8:38).  We don’t need to worry because God is in control of everything and always wants what is best for us (Romans 8:28).

Henry was a wonderful example of someone who knew that God was in charge, and that God wanted what was best for him and for the church.  Not only did he know it, but he lived it each and every day, and lovingly challenged those around him to do the same.

I pray that God would continue to help me learn to trust Him more and more each day.  That I would understand in a new and fresh way that He has a wonderful plan for me, that you want what is best for me, and that He will always provide everything I need.  I praise God  for Henry and for the wonderful example of faith that he was for so many of us.

Henry, you will be sorely missed, but I praise God that you are now with Christ, enjoying God’s presence, and spending eternity doing what you loved best, worshiping God.