Are We There Yet?

SHEA FAM TRIP TO CALI 1969

Harken back to 1969 with me when our fearless mother Gerry Shea loaded us up onto a westbound train in Cleveland, Ohio to visit Fam now living large in The Promised Land of Cali.  Restauranteurs by trade, they took a chance and bought an unknown franchise named McDonalds which by the time of our visit expanded to four franchises in Bakersfield.  Sitting motionless on the tracks we had yet to budge an inch when my brother Jim brimmed over with anticipation blurting out breathlessly “Are We There Yet?”

How like my brother I am when it comes to my Christian journey! And with the intense suffering that so many of our Christian Brothers and Sisters are enduring right now, I seek not just Good answers or even Better answers but press forward towards the Best answers that He has to offer.

Let’s try it out on this simple verse:

GOOD

Ps 119:50 NASU

This is my comfort in my affliction,  That Your word has revived me.

Hey! That’s good!  But let’s dig a little deeper with a Life Application I call “Good—Better—BEST.” Remember The Goal:  we are Hurting & we are pressing forward towards the Best answer possible.  One surefire technique is simply to Seek Out Different Translations of the same verse.  Let’s try the New International Version:

BETTER

Ps 119:50 NIV

My comfort in my suffering is this:  Your promise preserves my life.

Yes! Better indeed.  But wait!  There’s more!  Check out this version I was unaware of prior to my search:

BEST

Ps 119:50 GW GOD’S WORD® Translation This is my comfort in my misery: Your promise gave me a new life.

Wow! That’s it!  His Word not only revives and preserves me—it gave me New Life!  So the next time you find yourself yet again in the Crucible of Sanctification—Fear Not!  Take great comfort in abiding in His personalized promises meant just for You.  And me.

In His Accessible Grace,

Linda