Sobering thoughts

I remember the first time I realized that a boy really was stronger than I was. I know it sounds so silly, but I was always taller and stronger and bigger than any of the guys I knew. And I never encountered a situation that proved otherwise. Until one day I was at work and had happened to enter the elevator the same time as a guy who I worked with. He was goofing around and when I tried to leave the elevator he grabbed my wrist. I immediately pulled at my hand to get it free and was shocked by the realization that I couldn't get free. It wasn't a threatening situation at all, but I remember being so stunned to be face to face with my own weakness. The guy and I were about the same size so I assumed that if push came to shove I could take him. Again, it was all lighthearted horsing around but I clearly remember the shiver of fear that sliced through me at the thought that had this been another situation or another guy with darker intents, my own efforts would not be able to save me. He was much stronger than I was, and my efforts were like a gnat's mere annoyances. Amidst the playing around, I was sobered.

This past month has felt like that moment years ago. Life is full of much fun and playing around, but there's a thin stream just under the surface of incidents cropping up here and there that remind me of my own frailty. Two friends receiving bad reports from the doctor, another friend hospitalized, a relative in peril, the sincere year plus long efforts at job hunting that have turned up nothing for qualified friends who really need employment, the death of a friend's relative, and yet another friend with a parent given mere months to live.

I often say that I want God to be glorified in my life. But often what I really mean is that I want God to be glorified in my successful life. What if He wants to take glory from how I would respond in any of the above given situations. Will I still sing as loud if I suffer physically, in relationships, or my finances? Will I be like my heroes Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego and say that I know that my God has the power to deliver me, but even if He does not (that phrase ALWAYS gives me goosebumps) I'm still going to worship only Him?

Yes I've faced challenges in my life, and sickness and death have touched me very close to home, but I've not faced any of the situations my friends and acquaintances are experiencing. I'm not asking for one by any means, and I don't think that's the only way I can honor God. However it does make me reevaluate how I am responding to the minor trials I am facing right now. Am I hoping to get through this time to the next mountain top, or am I concentrating on how I can glorify God now, in whatever situation I am in? When faced with the awareness of my own frailty do I still struggle and beat the air, or do I bow my knee and worship the God who is truly worthy of my allegiance. NOT because it's my duty to worship despite the x, y, and z I have to suffer through. But because He is a good God who has richly blessed my life with innumerable blessings and is worthy of my praise in the midst of abundance and "hardships" that in the face of eternity are so very insignificant. Perhaps I should rejoice in trials, allowing my sufferings to sober me and bring light to the frailty and brevity of my life; while magnifying the greatness of my eternal, all powerful, omniscient God.