Uncertainty; not a bad way to live

December 31^st 2009

Another year is hours from passing away. The same uncertainty that brought in the New Year, last year, will continue into 2010. As humans we long for certainty. We plan and plan our lives so that uncertainty has no place to grow. We map out our futures, many just waiting for the day they can retire and finally enjoy life. Have you ever thought about how stupid that is? We live 62 years on this earth planning to live the last 20 or 30.

I look back and see so many moments that were lost in my obsession to plan. Our forefathers were planners but when they mapped out this country or left the East to discover the West uncertainty was part of the journey. Those who have done great things in life embraced uncertainty as we would a good friend after a long absence.

We seem to have lost our spirit for adventure. We nestle down, living in what we call the daily grind, as memories and moments not recoverable get lost in 401k plans or thoughts of leaving behind to our kids something society claims is much more important, financial security.

Perhaps that is the greatest lesson learned (hopefully) in 2009. There is no such thing as certainty, financial security or planning our lives. Perhaps in 2010 we need to take a serious look at simplification. Perhaps we won’t have a choice and that will become the theme of our lives.

No Resolutions for this guy, Nope.

December 30, 2009

It’s six o’clock in the morning. The house is quiet. In less than an hour everyone will be running around, grabbing breakfast, packing ski’s and snowboards into the car and we will be on our way to Timberline for a day of skiing.

Random thoughts find their way into my head as I look outside at the snow blanketed golf course just outside the windows of our home at Mount Hood. A lot has happened this past year. My wife and I started a new business, our life became one of relying more on God than a job and I will never look at work the same way again.

I still worry. I try not to but came from a family that taught me worry was what you do to try and gain control when you know deep down inside that you have none. I’m getting better but still fight the urge to play “The Worry Game.”

I will not do a New Years Resolution. I think they are a waste of time. I will resist the temptation to make a vow of change because I’m not sure God really wants us to make “Vows” instead I will try to listen to God more carefully and thoughtfully.

I will refuse to ride on the guilt trip express but will instead allow God to use the past to hopefully prevent me from making the same mistakes in 2010 that I made in 2009 and 2008. New mistakes are so much more adventurous and more interesting.

Life is so interesting. Change is so scary and yet refreshing at the same time. I need another cup of coffee but worry it will make me have to pee when I get out on the ski runs. See, there I go worrying about something I can do little about. Heck, I’m going to drink another cup cause I want to…that’s why God created trees.

Have a nice day.

Rick

Wait, you mean that’s not who I am? Now what?

I think I’m onto something. For those who follow God I would call this a revelation. For those who don’t label it as you wish. We all have natural virtues; some of you will call them gifts. For instance, I’m a communicator and love to connect with people. My entire life I have been told, and bought into the idea, that that is who I am. But now I’m starting to wonder.

Oswald Chambers keeps speaking to me from the grave, via his book “My Utmost for His Highest.”

“The sign that God is at work in us is that He corrupts confidence in the natural virtues, because they are not promises of what we are going to be, but remnants of what God created man to be.”

I wonder that we as humans don’t cling to our natural virtues as we desperately try to “Find ourselves.” We use those virtues and gifts like a treasure map when in fact, God is trying to lead us, not to who we are, or whom we grew up being, but He’s trying to make us into a new creation.

I’m finding I discover that Rick when I relax and “Be.” It’s as if I’m cleaning the slate of all that I know and handing the paintbrush back to the artist to show me what He had in mind rather than what the world came up with.

Does this mean we don’t have natural virtues and gifts that do great things? No. Does it mean, in my case, being a good communicator is a bad thing? No. What I’m saying is it’s time we stop using our natural virtues as a gauge to determine our fate.

Oswald goes on to say; “It is the saddest thing to see people in the service of God depending on that which the grace of God never gave them, depending on what they have by the accident of heredity.”

Pick up the Hammer and shut up….please.

There was a time when I thought I could orchestrate a better life. I believed if I did the right things, said what was taught to me, and modified my behavior God would bless my life.

I saw rules as a safety net. If I lived my life inside the lines drawn for me by society, my culture and the church, I deserved a good life. What I’ve learned is this is a big lie.

I am a servant not the contractor on this building project called “Rick Dancer’s Remodel.” I don’t have access to the blueprints nor do I need them. Every time I try to add a new room or put in a window so I can see out better, I end up remodeling the remodel.

I’ve learned that it’s not my job to orchestrate a better life it’s my job to live the life that God is giving me. It’s not my job to wrestle with God, but to wrestle with my issues before God. God is not my “Fairy God Father”. I didn’t get this job because I’m the most qualified or because I deserve it by being so good. I am a servant, chosen by the foreman, to swing a hammer and do what He wants. Often times those around me will offer advice as if they’ve seen the blueprint. There is only one foreman and I have access to Him anytime I need it.

There is something so free about choosing to be a bondservant rather than trying to take control. I used to long to see the finished project but now realize completion is not the goal.

I will continue to wrestle with the fact that I don’t get to know a lot of things. I will continue to smile when I hear people tell me the plans (God) they have for their lives. I do believe God gives us hints as to the next step but usually the plane ticket He hands me has no destination listed and no return trip planned.

Detached yet Connected.

2010 is quickly approaching. In one week we will be ushered into the next decade. As this process begins some will vow to be different next year others will melt into 2010 with little thought or appreciation for what’s just happened. The News Industry will rehash what we did, why we did it and predict doom and gloom for the year ahead. The advertisers will help us define which product will change our lives, make us thin and cover those wrinkles. Questions will rise over the economy, health care and on and on.

Talk of the American Dream will rise and fall. In Oregon, Measures 66 and 67 will be touted as our destruction or our savior. We will hope for a better world and a better life not really understanding the definition of “Better.” Our temptation will be to worry, debate, fight and argue over the answer. Rather than riding the fine line between involvement and obsession some of us will dive in never checking to see how deep the water is before we jump.

As I sit and think of what God did for me I must smile. He knew I would never understand how to be detached and yet connected to this world and it’s issues unless He came here in the flesh and showed me. I must fight my temptation to both fight and flight. I must stay closest to Him when the bottom falls out of systems we think were meant to hold us up and bring happiness and prosperity.

As people we will always believe we can do it ourselves. Our stubbornness and lack of humility is what makes us human and keeps us from ever finding the answers. I refuse to hide and at the same time will not hitch my life to any lifeline or doctrine that fails to connect to God.

Christmas Eve; Why Did God sent His Son?

Merry Christmas.

Rick, Kathy, Jake and Jess.