I love Facebook because I’ve found it to be a great tool for keeping in touch with individuals that I’ve lost contact with over the years. The other day I tried to do just that, and looked up an old friend of mine from work. It had been a long time since we’d seen each other, but I remembered him to be a real stand-up, positive, Christian guy. But I quickly found that his profile pointed to a person that was a far cry from the friend I once knew. As I scrolled down and continued to look through his page, my heart hurt at the realization that my friend seemed to have lost his way.

The situation I described isn’t uncommon, but it strikes you in a different way when the person in question is someone you held in high regard and looked to as an example, as was the case here. I felt disillusioned, saddened, and let down.

Similarly, I once attended a church that was turned upside down when a staff member resigned amid rumors of an affair. This was somebody that people trusted and looked up to, and they felt as though their trust had been betrayed. Most recently, America watched a US senator and former presidential candidate own up to having an affair on his wife, while she was suffering with cancer.

I’ve come to find that if I place a human on a pedestal like that, I will be setting myself up for disappointment because we’re all fallen and sinful. My pastor will let me down, my parents will disappoint, my friends will have their indiscretions, but God will always be my unfailing hope, a rock that cannot be moved. His Word promises this in Hebrews 13: 8 where it is written, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

I must come to the realization in my own life, that people will stumble and sin just as I do, and I can’t let that cause me to become disenchanted with my faith, or hinder me from pursuing my relationship with Christ, but rather I must fix my eyes solely on Him, trusting that when everyone else falls, He will remain.

My father once posed a troubling question, “Daniel, think it’s time to get a part-time job?” Shrugging lazily I responded, “I think I’ll just skip the menial work and head straight to upper management.” However, a previous childhood experience should have reminded me how unlikely that would be.

It was mid-August as I exited the plane onto Texas soil. My pre-deodorant-wearing four-year-old self quickly erupting into a mini waterfall of sweat. To make matters even more miserable, my family headed straight for my uncle’s marathon wedding rehearsal where I was plopped into a stuffy (but cute!) suit and tie. Whining and complaining the entire two-hour rehearsal, every ounce of fluid in my body gushed through my pores; my poor unfortunate Canadian body ill prepared to handle the furnace of a Texas summer. Stuffed into a tiny car with a broken AC afterwards, I asked myself, Will the misery ever end!?

Then I saw it! Arriving at the reception, a ray of hope at last! Like a heavenly oasis, was an icy cold pool! Giving my parents the slip by the refreshment table, I beelined straight for it.

There I stood, upon the threshold of happiness; the doorway to joy. Excitement overwhelmed me; This will feel sooo good!

Looking left I saw bored kids lazily splashing around with lame toys in the shallow end. Their faces looked miserable as they cried for their mommies.

Looking right I saw, The Deep End! “Big kids” laughing while playing exciting water-games and sipping cool drinks by the poolside.

Angel on Left Shoulder: “Stay in the shallow end…safety is special! Devil on Right Shoulder: “Cool kids swim in deep ends…”

With a running start I leapt… into the deep end! Only then did I wonder if it would possibly be problematic that my closest previous experience to swimming had been in my mother’s womb. Splash!

Hitting the water, I immediately took a six-foot plummet of death. Flailing my body around helplessly, I couldn’t distinguish up from down, or left from right. After only four glorious years, it was all over!

My lungs began to burn; then I felt two hands grab me and yank me from the water. Opening my eyes, I stared into the face of my soon-to-be aunt (HUGE brownie points with her new in-laws!), who had jumped in to save me, fancy clothes and all.

As Christians, it’s so easy to get ahead of ourselves. We dream of doing great things for God and impacting our entire schools or towns. These are noble ambitions and, if we are faithful, God can lead us down those paths. However, we cannot neglect the divine assignments that seem less glamorous or important. God always matches His assignments with our faithfulness (Matt. 25:21).

In the Bible, Joseph was faithful in every assignment God gave him, whether it was watching someone’s household as their slave, or doing chores in a prison. Because of his faithfulness, God ultimately raised him to the right hand of Pharaoh where he saved the lives of many people. What has God been asking you to do lately? Are there any smaller assignments that perhaps you have put off or forgotten?

I am a task-driven person. My brother and cousin are much different. They represent the attitude of “It will get done eventually, so why worry about it now?” When we recently took a forty hour road trip, conflict was inevitable.

I was determined to leave by 9AM on Monday morning unless some sort of natural disaster hit (in which case we would leave at 9:30). But by the time the other two said their good-byes, went out for breakfast, packed their bags, found their passports, and re-packed their bags, it was nearly 10:30! When I finally got them in the car I was determined to put some miles on the speedometer before the entire day was lost! By the time we pulled up to a Motel 6 it was nearly 2 in the morning and I was not a popular leader. I marched in, demanded a room, and dragged my party upstairs. I approached room 209 and stuck my key in the door. Nothing happened. I tried again; still nothing. I was growing impatient, so I did what any intelligent man would do; I tried it again. With the door still locked I turned to my cousin and ordered him to try his spare key. In frustration, he began swiping his card in and out of the door lock as fast as he could. It sounded like a woodpecker was pounding on the lock until it was drowned out by an even louder noise. This noise, however, came from inside the room. I thought we had just awakened The Cave of Wonders when a booming voice rang out: “WRONG ROOM!” My cousin turned white, “Ok,” he squeaked. I sheepishly pulled out the receipt to discover our room was number 219 not 209. My popularity had just taken another dive!

In my Christian life I often find myself rushing to serve God, but failing to check with Him first. When it seems like God is not blessing my efforts, I get confused and angry. I cry out in frustration because I am serving Him with all my heart and He doesn’t even seem to be happy with me! This is when God gently reminds me that He is the Lord of my life. He has a will; I was just too busy to listen. We can get so caught up in serving God that we don’t seek His will first! It’s no use pouring our hearts into serving God if it’s not what He wants us to do. Had I taken the time to listen at the front desk of the hotel I would have known that, no matter how hard I tried, my key would not work because it was the wrong room. The next time we attempt something for God, let’s wait on Him to give His approval first, otherwise we may get stuck at a locked door.

Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4-5

Well, this evening finds me sitting in a familiar leather chair sitting next to a familiar large window watching the sun sink down beneath a familiar line of trees. For the past six and a half years, I have named Clemson, South Carolina, home. Both my boys were born here. My wife Miska and I bought our first house here. Here, in this little college town, serving as a pastor amid this community, I have discovered more of my voice. I have made deep friends. I have become aware of more of my foibles and my idiosyncrasies. Here, I have wrestled a few more of my demons. I have prayed and laughed and cried and hoped and doubted and believed. A lot of life has been lived in this place, with these people.

But now I must go.

And this fact is closer to the truth of where I am – I am a mess of wrenching emotions because in a matter of hours, we will be pulling out of town, moving to Charlottesville, Virginia. We are excited, but we are also sad. We are eager for what new season lies before us, and we feel deep sorrow for this violent severing about to occur. Soon, we will disconnect from the community and people we have known, from the people and the place that have been our home. Yet we go to a city that has called our name. Such a strange paradox, this leaving and going. We surrender one good so we can embrace another good.

A couple days ago, my youngest son Seth (4) explained to me what he was feeling. “Daddy, I don’t mind going. I just don’t want to leave.” That sounds about right to me. If only we could enjoy all the good that comes from going without having to endure all the pain that comes from leaving. But, of course, we can’t. One requires the other.

Abraham had to leave his home without knowing what was in store. Paul had to leave position and power. Peter had to surrender control. Thomas had to surrender doubt. Moses had to surrender fear. Mary had to surrender reputation. The widow with the mite surrendered her last coin. Jesus surrendered His full self, His very life.

It seems that in the way of the Cross, there is no arrival without a departure. There is no freedom without surrender and repentance. There is no Resurrection hope without Dark Friday. There is no joyful greeting without a sad goodbye.

I pray I see God’s hand at work in all of it. I pray the same for you.

This has been a whirlwind summer for me. I graduated in May and on August 21st I move to Cookeville, Tennessee to go to college at Tennessee Tech University. It’s just over an hour’s drive from where I live now, but still, I just feel like everything is happening so fast and I’m realizing that things are about to change—big time! I’m excited about all that is about to happen—I already spoke with many of the professors, and I have several friends going there with me, and I scoped out the restaurant scene there and found that there is a Fazoli’s and a CiCi’s pizza just a couple blocks away from the campus so I’m good to go (perhaps I should also find out where the closest gym is now). But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous also.

Change has always been hard for me to accept, because I don’t like feeling as though I’m not in control. But God always carries me through those situations and uses them to remind me that I’m not in control–He is! That’s the way it should be because His plan and His timing is perfect, and I can only see a very little part of what He has in store for me. But beyond that, God has also showed me during times of transition and change that He is the unchanging One. When I move to college and everything around me changes, God is still the same.

But when I still want to give in to my doubts or fears of what lies ahead and I can always look to the past and remember that God has never let me down.

When I moved across the country from Tennessee to Connecticut in middle school, and three years later moved right back to Tennessee, he was right there with me guiding my every step. Each of those transitions brought with them a hand full of challenges and adjustments, but God was faithful just as he promises in Matthew 6:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear … 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 his life? … . Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Matthew 6:25, 26-27, 34

So while I’m still anxious about all that is about to happen in my life, I am grateful to serve a God that has it all figured out, because I certainly don’t. I can cast my cares on Him and rest in the knowledge that He will be faithful, just as He has always been.

Grandmas are great for many reasons (especially their marvelous ability to bake pies that would make Willy Wonka proud), but they all share one thing in common: their ability to embarrass their grandchildren. My grandmother is not generally known for her reserved, introverted nature. She is famous for coming to my grandfather with 3 or 4 women she met in the airport bathroom who need his spiritual council. She has never met a stranger, and is constantly engaging in conversation with anyone who will listen (well, listening isn’t even required!).

When my grandma visited me at work one day I felt a little uneasy. She walked through the doors and memories of purple sweaters given as Christmas gifts flashed before my eyes. I looked for a place to hide, but the lunch rush had just started and a crowd was forming behind her. With a big smile she called to me and waved, informing all of her new friends in line that I was her oldest grandson, whom she is very proud of. In horror I suddenly realized she didn’t want anything to eat, but had come to take a picture of her grandson at his first job! Ages seemed to pass as my grandma fumbled with her new digital camera (which, apparently, nobody had taught her how to use!). The worst part wasn’t even the picture, but the comments I got from every single person who came behind her!

Have you ever found yourself embarrassed about your faith? Have you been afraid that people will find out you’re a Christian? After all, Christians are not known for receiving the warmest hospitality. History is filled with stories of martyrs who died proclaiming their faith, yet I often find myself worried what others will think of me. Although the world is free to push their philosophies in your face (including the “un-biased” views of atheist university professors), it is considered “pushy” or “preachy” to take a stand for Jesus. While we should never force our views on other people, the Bible calls us to speak up! Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this…generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (1 Peter 8:38) If there is one day we won’t want to be ashamed of following Christ it will be on the day of His return. All other reasons for denying Him will fade away in the glory of His second coming. And why should we ever be ashamed of the one who gave His life for us?

As embarrassing as it was to have my grandma show up that day, I realize now how much she loves me and how often she has sacrificed for me over the years. I still have a copy of that picture she took, and I keep it as a constant reminder of how much she loves me. We have a God who loves us infinitely more. Are we ashamed of Him?

As most guys do, I continually seek to maintain a fairly high score on the macho-o-meter (although the fact that I’m only five foot six and embarrassingly scrawny doesn’t help matters). I like to give off the impression that I’m a pretty strong guy who’s got things together. However, these masculine ideals were tossed out the window last week when I caught a virus and completely self-destructed.

My family just moved into a transitional apartment in anticipation for our move to South Carolina at month’s end. I was excited! Living in such close quarters would be a great way of family bonding! I envisioned card games filled with laughter and movie nights with popcorn! However, I thought the rapture had come the way people started leaving! Mom – Saskatoon to visit sister, Dad – Alaska for work, Sister – off to summer youth camp, girlfriend – Vancouver to find apartment. Guess it’s just me and my dog, Chevy, bacheloring it up this week! However, this dream bubble popped as well when I was informed the apartment didn’t allow pets; he’d be staying at a dog-sitter.

Doing what any self-respecting man would do in a situation like that, I purchased six boxes of Kraft Dinner and set up camp in front of my Xbox. Things might not be too bad after all!

Then it hit me. It started as a mere irritation in my throat. Never filled with even slight ambitions for med-school, I couldn’t distinguish Tylenol from pop-rocks. So I decided to just ‘tough it out.’

It got worse. I devolved a fever so high I could’ve invited over some friends and roasted marshmallows over it. My throat had swelled out like a toad, leaving me unable to shallow or eat (which stinks when you’re use to eating every twelve minutes). The second night I woke multiple times to throw-up. Having not eaten for two days, it was so dry and violent that blood vessels in my face exploded and my eyes swelled to golf balls. Lying in bed, in too much pain to even roll over, I began to cry. I felt so alone and desperate.

However, God is good and sent me a much needed angel on the third day (one who also goes under the title of ‘my girlfriend’). Along with her came medication, chicken noodle soup, and rides to and from doctor’s appointments. I still feel pretty lousy, but it’s comforting to know that there’s somewhere here who will take care of me.

Have you ever found yourself in that place, desperate or alone? Several times throughout my Christian journey there’ve been moments when I was spiritually sick, and I felt completely helpless, like no one understood or cared.

I encourage you not to struggle through those trying times alone. It’s not weak to let God carry you through those rough moments. In fact, it’s probably one of the best places you could ever be. The Bible says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Having taken God up on the offer many times myself, I can promise you, He won’t let you down!

This summer, I had the privilege of going to Student Leadership University [SLU] in Orlando, Florida. SLU is a youth camp for student leaders. One of the highlights of the week was going to Sea World.

We got a chance to see dolphins, sharks, turtles, and polar bears, but the true highlight and top attraction of Sea World is SHAMU. It finally came time for the big SHAMU spectacular.

We were all filing into SHAMU Stadium headed for our seats in the splash zone. I think everyone in the park could tell that all of us were stoked to get soaked.

The show began with the trainers coming out riding whales around the pool – but no sign of SHAMU. At that moment, my new goal in life was to become a SHAMU trainer, until the trainers came out of the pool doing what they called the SHAMU dance.

We, being crazy students, joined in with this crazy, lame dance. I guess the dance worked because SHAMU finally made her appearance. As she started to swim out, we all erupted screaming at the top of our lungs SHAMU, SHAMU, SHAMU. She was massive! We were so ready for the big whale to soak us all.

The trainer gave the signal and SHAMU began to swim in circles around the pool. Circle after circle, this went on for at least 15 minutes. As we waited and waited, finally the head trainer ran out and began to explain what was happening. The fact is the trainers really don’t have any control over SHAMU. She can do whatever she wants to do. This gigantic mammal was in complete control of the show and on this day the splash zone stayed dry!

I must admit at times I can relate to being a trainer. I have the show all planned out, I have an agenda, I have a schedule, and I have a plan of what I want to happen in my life, just like SHAMU’s trainers.

I need to remember that God is in control and that no matter what, the show is eventually going to come down to God. What I want to think is best isn’t always the right thing. I have to make adjustments in my life because God is in control and for His plans to work out, I have to totally surrender to Him. Sometimes I like to be like the trainer and run the show. I can’t control God.

Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Psalm 42:5

Christians should always be happy people, right? Purpose driven. Content in all situations. Fulfilled. Filled to overflowing, in fact. After all, we have been redeemed. Bought at a precious price. And that should be enough—it is enough, right? Yes. But today it just doesn’t feel that way.

Forgive me, Lord! I know that You are enough. You are more than enough, in fact. You are the One who fills all things (Eph. 4:10). But I am starving here, Lord. Deep in my heart there is a longing that will not be satisfied. And because that hole is there, there is often doubt and depression. I must not be living right. Search me, God. Like tiny brown worm holes on the shiny polished skin of an apple, pinpricks of discontent give way to the longing deep in the core of my heart. Show me if there is any wicked way in me (Ps. 139:24). Common wisdom, often like that of Job’s well-meaning friends, holds that there must be sin causing this dissatisfaction. Yet, I struggle to discover the sinful source of my turmoil. What is the cause of my holey, hungry heart?

Thankfully, God sees the content of my heart. He knows what lies at my core even when I can’t (or won’t) see it. You are aware of all my ways, Lord (Ps. 139:3). He sees, and He pushes and pulls and pokes me to keep seeking more. Maybe He is the reason I am not satisfied. Maybe He doesn’t want me to settle for anything less than all of Him. Maybe He knows there is something great waiting beyond the realm of the merely satisfactory or the good. And maybe, dare I say, it is waiting for me?

As long as we are satisfied with good enough and content to live simply satisfactory lives, we may never realize all that God has planned for us. Despite the hunger pains we suffer, deep continues to call to deep (Ps. 42:7), and the greater the gaping desire of our hearts the greater our capacity to hold more of His Holy Spirit. Despite our momentary suffering, we can entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue in doing good (1 Pet. 4:19). He is enough, and He is able to satisfy our longing for more.

Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

You are the One who causes me to thirst for You as a deer longs for streams of water. Motivate me to seek more of You and not to be satisfied until I finally reach the full measure of Your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. Psalm 33:11

For four days we walked the same path to the beach, crossed over the gray, wooden bridge that spanned the berm, and trudged through the sand to place our chairs in the least crowded spot to enjoy the surf and the wonderful sea breeze. Four days walking past the same sign at the edge of the beach without ever taking the time to read its warning. But for some reason, on Day 4, I paused, probably to adjust my load or to get a sandspur out of my flip flop, but I stopped and read: “Extreme currents and shifting sands. Swim at your own risk.”

“Oh boy! I couldn’t agree more,” I thought as I huffed and puffed through the sandy mounds to where my family had already staked our claim for the day. But, once settled in my chair with a good book, I couldn’t shake the double message of that sign and the way it perfectly expressed my recent feelings toward life. So much change—so little stability. And so much risk over which I had so little control. And unlike a decision to swim in the ocean, I had very little choice over whether or not to dive into life. Like it or not, I was already in the waves, and it was time to sink or swim.

As I watched the daring ones splashing and riding that “extreme current” on bright inflatable rafts, I thought about the “shifting sands” in my life: career changes, family relationships, health issues, friendships, etc. Would nothing stay the same? Did everything have to change?

Yes and no. The world we live in is fading away. People age, relationships change, and it really is impossible to stay in the same place forever. But, take heart. “Because I, Yahweh, have not changed” (Malachi 3:6). God is our unfailing anchor in the crashing waves of our ever-changing lives. He is the Rock to which we can tether ourselves and not be blown off course. His counsel stands firm forever.

I take comfort in knowing that the One who threw me into the water is the same One who has a plan for my life. He will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5). I will not drown in the changes that seem to overwhelm me, because I can count on Jesus to lift up my head and keep me moving in the right direction. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Now, if I could just relax and enjoy the ride!

Lord Jesus, You are ever faithful and unchanging. Thank You for holding my head above the waves of change. Help me to relax in Your arms and to trust in the certainty of Your strong presence. In Your name, I pray. Amen.