Skating Through Life
“Everything works out for you. You just skate through life.” Chuckling at my remark, my husband responded, “Oh yeah, that’s me. The guy who recovered from a traumatic brain injury years ago was just skating through life.” Well…that is true. I’ll add that he’s the same guy who spent a year of his life in a hospital and rehabilitation facility and vowed never to complain about his injuries' impact. And he doesn’t.
Okay, so maybe him skating through life isn’t a thing. But, I can say that my husband has undeniable favor written into his story. And perhaps his favor isn’t so much about things working out for him as it is about the level of faith, service, and joy he consistently demonstrates in his spiritual walk.
Eric doesn’t spend time worrying and wondering- he strategically lives in the moment, taking things one day at a time. When asked why he thinks he has favor, he simply says that he has faith that things will work out. I’m generally careful about assumptions, but although Eric believes things will always work out, I don’t think he means they will always work out according to his plan. I think he means they’ll work out the way God intends for them to, and he seems good with that.
Any time we travel, the flight portion of our trip depends on faith that we will arrive somewhere we want to go with all of our luggage and our (I mean my…) sanity still intact. Eric works part-time for an airline affiliate, so we enjoy the benefit of flying standby for a much lower cost than typical airline tickets. It has indeed been a blessing to have the opportunity to see things in other parts of the U.S. and the world that I wouldn’t get to see if we didn’t have flight benefits.
We typically have an intentional conversation before these trips, reviewing how important it is for me to remember that it may not work out for us to get on the flights we’ve planned. And although I am greatly appreciative of the flight benefits, my mindset is significantly challenged when we’ve spent hours airport hopping, running desperately from one side of the airport to the other, loaded up on buses to be driven from one side of the airport to the other in sweltering temperatures, and end the race with changing our sweaty clothes in the airport bathroom.
Our last trip captured all of these things and more. It also included me having one panic attack, a couple of less than graceful moments, and my husband questioning if I am cut out to be a stand-by travel companion. Looking back, I can’t say that I blame him for questioning my tolerance of flying standby. If only I could wrap my mind around him saying, “It’s all part of the adventure.”
I struggle with the unknown and not having a plan. Eric seems to be okay with the possibility of it taking us two days to get somewhere. Meanwhile, I’m anxious to begin our itinerary because the countdown has started. While he’s considering that our delay could be due to the Lord’s protection in some way, I’m focused on what we might be missing if we don’t get there according to the plan I’ve developed for us.
When I’m on the other side of these situations, I can make room for being out of my head and understand his perspective. His view saves him from the anguish that I often put myself through. And I do recognize that I do it to myself. On our last trip, Eric made it to and from Scotland just as I did. But his faith that we would get to and from wasn’t dependent upon everything happening as we planned. He knew there might be challenges, but he also believed, God willing, we would make it either way. And we did.
His level of faith and explanation of favor speaks volumes about the importance of how favor is viewed and received in the life of a believer. It has led me to ask myself, what am I potentially doing to block the favor God means for me to receive? Am I so focused on what I want from God’s plan and purpose that I’m missing out on something bigger and better than I could ever imagine?
Admittedly, I have a lot of growing to do in the area of patience. I struggle with restlessness and the need to jump straight from the freedom I’ve found in Christ to the purpose He has planned for my life. God continues to challenge me and grow my understanding of the importance of finding joy in the waiting and demonstrating endurance if I am to fully appreciate the blessings He has prepared for me.
“For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.” James 5:10-11. This scripture goes right to the heart of the matter. And I can almost hear Eric saying, “you know the Bible says, “great honor is given to those who endure suffering…” He’s good at sliding those reminders in at just the right time. And those of you who know him thought all he does is clown around. Clowning or not, the man is full of wisdom.
I understand that our airport stories don’t represent deep suffering. However, if you’ve experienced debilitating anxiety, you may know that those circumstances can be highly uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing for some of us. My point is that I feel challenged enough by that example to consider this- if I’m unable to demonstrate faith and patience in an airport, what happens when I experience circumstances at a higher level of discomfort or suffering? Am I going to remain joyful and praise God in the storm? Will I roll up in my skates, ready to race? Or will I immediately resort to worry and despair so much that I miss the evidence of God’s favor in my life?
There are a particular set of circumstances I’ve been trying to control for some time now. And while it may appear to those who don’t know me well that I might be skating through life too, I’m not. But, I am blessed, and I haven’t demonstrated the level of patience and faith I know the Lord wants me to in my season of waiting.
A few weeks ago, I was venting about the circumstances I mentioned above, saying that I don’t understand why certain things are not happening and moving forward when I’ve worked so hard. Once again, in all of his wisdom, my husband asked me if I had considered things not moving forward the way I wanted them to because the Lord was protecting and preparing me. Well, I hadn’t considered that. But I can give a solid list of times from the past in which it may have appeared that things hadn’t worked out; however, the evidence of God’s goodness was later crystal clear. Most of the examples on my list involve me chasing an idea of who I thought I should be or who others needed me to be when that wasn’t who I was in Christ or part of His plan.
In her book, Called Out, Paula Faris says, “So many of us have found our identity in the wrong things, and so God still uses a good crisis (or a series of them, in my case) to wake us up from time to time.” She uses Saul of Tarus’ calling and conversion as an example of someone God redirected after living a life that could have only been changed by being filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul becoming Paul shows us how big God can move in the details. It represents the favor of God.
I’m confident Saul never once looked like he put on roller skates after accepting his faith calling and becoming Paul. But that never stopped him from moving forward, even while sitting in prison preaching and writing to others about the goodness of God. The details of his suffering only drove him to continue the course.
My spirit feels pressed to type the entire book of Philippians right here. For the sake of time, I won’t, but I encourage anyone interested to study Paul’s letter to the people of Philippi. I’ll start with chapter one, verse seven, when Paul says, “So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.” Did Paul use the words’ imprisonment and favor in the same sentence?
In Philippians chapter one, we also see;
Paul finds joy regardless of being imprisoned in Rome. His purpose while he’s there is to be bold. He encourages the Philippian people to be courageous and bold as they speak the word of God.
Paul speaks of joy and giving thanks while he sits in prison. He rejoices in his persecution. He isn’t preoccupied with the details of his imprisonment.
With patience, he states that God will continue His work in him until Christ returns.
From where does this level of contentment and perseverance come? I think it comes from a willingness to embrace challenging seasons of influence so new blessings can be inherited...and while on earth, that inheritance is called favor.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy, for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for you will be perfect and complete when your endurance is fully developed, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4. Again…joy and endurance.
Something I admire about my husband is that he knows who he is. I see many qualities in him that represent discipleship, and I believe discipleship results in favor. If he’s not demonstrating God’s love through acts of service and making people feel good about themselves, he’s trying to make them smile.
Something else I see in him is that although he has filled different roles and held other jobs over time, his gifts, talents, and calling haven’t changed. He remains consistent, and he doesn’t worry about what the next role or position might be. In this current season, his calling isn’t to be a hairstylist. That is what he does, but it’s not who he is. His calling is to serve and love people. And no matter the job, he steps out in faith and walks in favor- that’s who he is in Christ.
Reading the book of Philippians has stirred a resounding call to action in my spirit over the past week. Receiving this as a gift from God has changed my perspective on uncertainty and favor. In every verse, I read and every chapter I finish, I accept the spiritual motivation needed to push through, and I know my patience and faith have already been rewarded.
Whatever happens in the next season, I know with confidence that the things Paul speaks of in his letter to the Philippians will be cultivated and built into my story too:
Humility
Confidence
Boldness
Courage
Grace
Kindness
Greatness
Love
Wholeheartedness
Gentleness
Patience
Freedom
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a brief preview on my Facebook page for this post. I asked, “What does favor mean to you?” One person responded by pointing out that Eric chooses faith over fear, and maybe that’s favor. Others called favor the equivalent of grace and a representation of God’s delight in His children.
Since starting this post, I’ve thought about what favor means and looks like to me. The Lord continues to bring me back to the book of Philippians, urging me to reflect on the list above as I move forward. He has also repeatedly whispered the words protection and preparing over my heart.
Protection and preparation…maybe that’s what His favor looks like in my life. So, if you see me rolling by, know I’m not skating; I’ve just been prepared to receive the overflow of grace, mercy, love, protection, and favor the Lord has always had waiting for me. I just know He has it for you too.
