Sunday, June 24, 2012

What I Learned from Dory and Carrie Underwood


 What do Dory (from "Finding Nemo") and the "Jesus Take the Wheel" song performed by Carrie Underwood have to do with each other? They are my spirit-inspired memory aids for applying the following Bible lesson:
"Because of the extravagance of these revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, 'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.' Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size — abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Whether it's a physical attack, a financial battle, a mental challenge, emotional upheaval,  an accident, the lousy economy, car trouble, a messy kid's room, a fussy baby, or bad weather on our birthdays, we can either be KO'd by our circumstances...
...or we can learn to do what Paul learned to do: "take it in stride, and with good cheer," letting Christ take over. Wow. When I think of the time and energy I've wasted over the years because I REFUSED to take things in stride, and I certainly didn't take them with good cheer. Even after I became a Christian, if obstacles and limitations arose, I either ranted and raved against the devil who brought the trouble or fell into the trap of guilt and condemnation, certain I had brought the problem upon myself because I wasn't "good enough." I still have a long way to go, but seeing these verses in the Message have given me a new way to approach those KA-POW situations. Just keep swimming, and let Jesus take the wheel today!
(I know, it's kind of a weird word picture, but I bet you won't forget it!)

About   the Author: Niki writes fiction, nonfiction, blog posts, newspaper articles, grocery lists, and Facebook status  updates. She can be found at her own blog, In Truer Ink, in addition to posting here. She was a 2009 finalist in the Faith, Hope, and Love "Touched by Love" contest.

11 comments:

  1. Niki, I've seen this post waiting in the secret underground Inky headquarters for awhile and I'm glad it's here to enjoy. I had my Patience Seminar this week (aka I did a plumbing job for FOUR days) and the only thing that kept me from going crazy with frustration was this truth, er these truths.

    This is happening for a reason which is usually to make me more useful

    I'm not in charge of anything, really, so who am I kidding?

    And no, I won't listen to the Carrie video b/c I don't want to be singing it in sunday school today.

    thanks.

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  2. I like the idea of those challenges and obstacles and difficult tasks being little mini-learning seminars! If we'll yield to the Holy Spirit He'll work something good in us and through us out of the mess.

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  3. Thanks, Niki. I especially needed this word right now. It's a rough season for me, where everything seems to be difficult and unfruitful, so I needed the encouragement to persevere and endure and let God work His will. Thank you!

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  4. I love Dory, especially when she speaks whale. :D

    What a great reminder to us all to keep swimming and let God handle things. Thanks!

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  5. Susie, I think it's been a rough go for many of us these past few months. Looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel, myself... most days I can almost see it!
    ((HUGS))

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  6. Thanks DeAnna! I wish I were better at playing with graphics and animations. Dory doing "Jesus Take the Wheel" would be quite entertaining, in my opinion!

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  7. Lol. Nicki, I agree. Dory singing "Jesus Take the Wheel" would be cute. But I'm so glad you shared "keep on swimming" and this song together yet separate. They are both very visual reminders.

    I hear JTtW a lot because it's on my music loop - twice. But I don't see Nemo enough, so "keep on swimming, keep on swimming" will be stuck in my head all day. Love it!

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  8. Needed this today. It's hard to take things in stride. Sigh.

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  9. Yep... hate it when I have to go back and read my own post to straighten myself out, but that's how my day went.
    Thank God His mercies are new every morning.

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