How do you respond when you see a situation spiral out of control? You know a proverbial train wreck is coming, and all you can do is sit idly by and wait. And wonder how things are going to turn out.
Helplessness
Maybe you’ve watched this in a relationship: An ugly divorce ripped a family to shreds.
Perhaps you’ve seen it in your job: Layoffs loomed, and it was a matter of time before your name was called.
Or you’ve sat with a loved one in their last days: Struggling for breath, death would be a welcome relief.
But as awful as the anticipation was, what resulted just as bad or worse. How do we as Christians hope against all hope in life’s train wrecks?
Hinge Points
I call these train wreck situations hinge-points: from that point forward, the direction of your life changes and things are never the same.
I thought about this as I studied the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. Our Lord’s life “hinged” in the Garden of Gethsemane when He accepted the Father’s will. It “hinged” again when Pilate banged the gavel and sent Him to Calvary. It “hinged” for the last time with His last breath. Rejected, despised and alone, Jesus died and things were never the same.
But all those who knew [Jesus],
including the women who had followed him from Galilee,
stood at a distance,
watching these things.
~Luke 23:49 (NIV)
His friends watched helplessly as the train of Jesus’ life crashed and burned. Their friend and rabbi, and the Man they believed to be their Messiah, was gone and things would never be the same. For three days they grieved, questioned and doubted until they saw the empty tomb.
Transformation
What they thought was the worst possible thing turned out to be an occasion for God to reveal His power and His glory. Jesus’ friends had no idea how such a horrific situation could be redeemed, but Jesus’ Father did.
Those three days in the tomb were transformational. The Lord was working in places they couldn’t see, doing things they didn’t understand, to accomplish something they couldn’t imagine.
Raised in a new body with new life, Jesus life “hinged” yet again when He stepped out of the tomb. And praise the Lord, things have never been the same.
God wants to do that in our situations too. He knows our lives will never be the same, and He sees beyond the debris of our train wrecks. Our almighty, all-wise God wants to use this hinge-point to draw us near.
- As we cry out from the charred ashes, He will cover us with His peace.
- As we look for His guidance, He will open doors of opportunity.
- As we trust Him to provide, He will creatively supply our needs.
Our transformational period will certainly be more than three days but no matter how bad it seems, KNOW that God is working. Faith is about hanging on and trusting until He accomplishes something we can’t even imagine.
And we will never be the same.
I think, once again, we’re on the same wavelength. Wednesday Worship is Kari Jobe’s Steady My Heart. He holds us right inside the palm of His hand…a scarred hand that reached forth with the most unimaginable love ever.
I love you, dear friend!
He’s amazing, and I love that Kari Jobe song. So grateful for His hand steadying us when things look hopeless.
Love you too – can’t wait to see you!!
Susan,
This is so true! A few years ago, when I felt a true calling on my heart, I first began by following His path. However, it wasn’t too long before I found myself determined to make the path on my own. It was then that my train started to derail. I actually wrote about it in an entry call Humble Pie’s Powerful Nutrition. http://www.crossmoms.com/?p=484 And just like you said, the direction of my life changed forever. And while it was an extremely difficult time in my life, I will be forever grateful. Thank you for such wonderful encouragement! “Hinge-points” is going to remain part of my vocabulary now! Glad to find you on NOBH!
Love and God Bless,
Christy
Hi Christy! I’m so glad you hopped over today, and thanks for the link to your testimony. That was an encouraging word, and a great reminder to do the work and leave the results to HIM.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
Hugs from VA!
~Susan
My latest train wreck involved a young adult daughter & some disciplines on my part which is not easy but the Lord requires it of us at times; consider Eli who would not discipline his sons & brought the Lord’s judgement on his household. Anyhow I found the Lord prepared me in advance (little things begin to add up & we begin to wonder what is going on). Now that I am doubting my course of action, the Lord keeps reassuring me & reminding me of the wisdom from above which is pure,peaceable,& reasonable,(James) & a whole lot of other Scriptures that come into my mind at just the right time! Just think of our children doing whatever they want while young with no correction on our part! Okay I will stop here but also want to thank you Susan for instructing beginning bloggers. So helpful! Love this fellowship! Love & prayers, in Jesus, Cynthia
Hi Cynthia,
I’ll add your situation to my prayer list. I have a young adult daughter too, and I pray for her CONTINUALLY. Parents mistakenly think things will be easier when our kids get older, but that’s not the case AT ALL. The older they get, the bigger and further-reaching the problems.
So glad the Lord loves them more than we do and is charting their course! May they love Him with all their hearts and pursue Him with all their might!!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting today!
Hugs from VA,
~Susan
Oh Susan, I needed this today. With the week I’ve had and the weekend I’m getting ready to endure (you know what I’m refering to) I needed to be reminded that God is working. So many times for me, I’m wondering what He’s doing, but I know that it’s something good. Although at this point in my life with what I’m going through, I honestly can’t imagine what. I love you my sweet friend!
Thanks for stopping by, Jamie – praying for you right now, and will continually lift you up this weekend.
Press on and shine for Jesus, sweet girl!
Love you!!
As I read this post I immediately thought of a dear friend whose husband is in desperate need of a job. He’s applying everywhere possible. Please pray strength for my weary but faithful friend and for the doors of employment to swing wide open in accordance to God’s will. Thank you Susan and others for praying!
Adding that family to my prayer list right now and trusting the transformation period is coming to a close.
Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
I love the part where you said, ” He sees beyond the train wreck.” And haven’t we all had some sort of train wreck in our lives. Great blog!
Thanks, Di – He’s definitely the great Wreck-Redeemer!!
So comforting to know that there is a plan. And a purpose to the train wrecks in my life. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by today, Diane. You’re so right – to know that He has a plan in everything is a great comfort!
What a wonderful word for my Thursday night! And one I desperately needed to hear. I have been struggling lately with the best way to comfort friends who are in transformational stages in their lives. It’s so hard because we don’t know everything the Father knows. All we have is faith that He knows exactly what He’s doing (which He does!) But this post is such an encouragement to persevere, to trust, to have faith. Thank you.
I’m so glad you stopped by today, Amy! I’m praying for you as you seek to comfort and encourage your friends. I have a book about not singing songs to a heavy heart (based on Ps 25:20), and it’s tricky. I’m trusting He’ll give you the right words.
Thank you for encouraging ME
Susan, I can fortunately say that I haven’t had any train wrecks recently. The worst one of my life happened when I was 25- my mom died after a long illness, and I lost my faith for awhile. But I came back to God with more faith than before; it was definitely a hinge point. I hope that with age and prayer I have gained enough wisdom so that when the next train wreck hits, I’ll be ready. Please pray for Katherine, a beautiful 25 year old who has just lost her mother to breast cancer. I’m sure she is at a “hinge point”.
I’ll pray for Katherine and for her family. The hinge point of death is a drastic one, and you know first-hand how it can change your course. I’m glad to know that you came back with not only a stronger faith but with resolve. When it’s time for your train wreck, you’ll remember your experience away from Him and hang on with all your might.
Thanks so much for sharing that testimony, Julia!
Susan,
What a joy to cross paths with you. Your writing is so thoughtful, inspiring. Just beautiful. I loved this thought here, especially: “Jesus’ friends had no idea how such a horrific situation could be redeemed, but Jesus’ Father did.” It should give all of us hope, who are facing despairing situations, that God can redeem all things.
A quick note: When I clicked over here from the linky, it says “page not found.” Obviously, I found the post anyway,
… but I just wanted you to know. I’d be sad for folks to miss this one.
Shine on, sister. You’re doing GREAT work for the Kingdom here.
Thanks so much, Jennifer!! I appreciate your perseverance, and thanks for the heads up on the bad link. I’m going to re-link on Monday and trust the Lord to send the right people back!
Love that we can “Get Down With Jesus” together!!
Hugs from VA,
Susan
Life presents so many “hinge” moments… and with each one of them we can thankfully trust that He works together all things for our good. Beautiful Post!
Blessings!
I’m so glad you stopped by, Danise. And thanks for your encouraging comment