Jenga or J. Vernon

Remember the first time you played Jenga? It looked so simple, the stack of blocks and all you had to do was slide out one at a time, alternating with whomever you played against.

But as the game progressed and the stack teetered, anxiety replaced calm and your fingers seemed not able to be still…until the whole thing tumbled with you still holding the last piece you were trying to remove. Stupid game. Stupid because my sausage fingers were not built for intricacy so I never won.

My faith life sometimes resembles a spiritual Jenga tower. Stress, worry, a feeling like my sausage-shaped attempts will, in just a matter of time, cause it all to fall apart. Verses like “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything” mock my feelings as parts of my life teeter. It’s all on me to pull off this faith-life thing, and the tower sways dangerously.

But when life hits those moments (or seasons), I’ve missed the point of following Jesus. It’s not a matter of me trying my hardest to do it all just right. He has already done it better than I could ever and tells me just to come along with him. It’s almost like I put myself in places of weary worrying and turn off my ears when he says, “I got this.”

Jenga-living doesn’t resemble the life in Christ I read in the book, but so many of us live it out daily. I need to remember another way forward. A life of concern if I’m doing it right with my faith and family and career and health and relationships can consume a person, and not in a good way.

When I was first at Oregon State (the mother of all universities), a friend pointed me to a daily radio broadcast with J. Vernon McGee, who taught through the Bible. Line by line, this old-school teacher explained meanings and implications of the text. He’s gone now, but somehow these 30 minute spots are still on the radio, and his messages continue to challenge me when I occasionally happen across them. His distinctive voice and clear teaching are fun to revisit.

As I recall, J. Vernon never failed to use the word to challenge hearers to trust in God and to live life forward in faith. So different from Jenga living.

The theme music for his show was the first lines of the hymn, How Firm a Foundation, written in 1787. The lyrics remind us we don’t have to live a Jenga lifestyle. Even though McGee didn’t write the hymn, I always mentally tie it to him.

This is good stuff and worth a re-read, maybe twice.

VERSE 1
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word
What more can He say than to you He hath said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled

VERSE 2
Fear not, I am with thee; oh be not dismayed
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand

VERSE 3
When through the deep waters I call thee to go
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress

VERSE 4
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine

VERSE 5
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to its foes
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake

Verse 1 reminds us to keep familiarizing ourself with the Bible and the truths laid out in the stories and proverbs and teachings. We don’t have to figure stuff out on our own, but trust what God has said and done and promised his children.

Verses 2, 3, and 4 lead a believer to review the character of God that no matter what, he is with us and will use all of life to get to know him better and to grow in ways we could not otherwise. Strengthened in the moment and refined for the future, God gives what we need to face life.

Verse 5 pounds home the truth that we will never be forsaken. Never. He is always in you and you are never alone. Now that’s good news!

This hymn echoes Ps.3 that talks of the protection of God, not away from troubles but through them and onto greater maturity and a deeper character. Here is a slice of this ancient song.

But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain.

So, life happens with all its variations on the themes of human experience. As a Jesus-follower it is so good to know I don’t have to face each day with anxiety as if it were all on me to pull off a good result. J. Vernon’s theme song underlines the truth that God himself stands with us, leads us through deep waters, and prepares a future for us as we simply follow.

Jenga or J. Vernon? Your choice.

Music time

**A bit different this week. Sunday we had the Lack Family Band in church. They are outstanding! Below is 45 minutes of them in concert. Have fun with our new friends.

BTW all their music is free to download. Just search for Lack Family Band for info.

…and a couple of bad jokes for the week

A man walks into his doctor's office and says, "Doctor, I've eaten something that disagrees with me."

A voice from the man's stomach says, "No, you haven't."

********************

Jacob, age 85, and Rebecca, age 79, are all excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding. On the way they pass a drugstore. Jacob suggests that they go in. He addresses the man behind the counter:

"Are you the owner?"

The pharmacist answers, "Yes."

Jacob: "Do you sell heart medication?"

Pharmacist: "Of course we do."

Jacob: "How about medicine for circulation?"

Pharmacist: "All kinds."

Jacob: "Medicine for rheumatism?"

Pharmacist: "Definitely."

Jacob: "How about Viagra?"

Pharmacist: "Of course."

Jacob: "Medicine for memory?"

Pharmacist: "Yes, a large variety."

Jacob: "What about vitamins and sleeping pills?"

Pharmacist: "Absolutely."

Jacob: "Perfect! We'd like to register here for our wedding gifts."