When Reality Comes Knocking
by Gene Schrader

Knock, knock. Who's there? Reality. Reality who? THE Reality. Oh, you mean the real thing, the “rubber meets the road" reality. Yup, that's the one.

For most of us, when reality comes knocking, we don't want to open the door. We wait, hoping it will just go away. While it may appear easier to ignore our uninvited guest, reality must be reckoned with—either now or later. It has a funny way of reappearing when we least expect it. But it always comes back.

What's knocking at your door? It may be something unpleasant—bills, illness, difficulties at work, relationship problems, to name a few. Or it might be something hoped for (weddings, career advancements, relocations, etc). Dealing with both kinds of circumstances can bring the same emotional response—fear.

No matter the cause, we fear the unknown and the possibility of failure. The possibilities of what could happen run through our minds. We wonder if we have the stamina or resources to handle what this "situation" might ask of us.

If I bring up what's really bothering me, they might reject me. If I go to the doctor, I might find out it's cancer. If I take this new position, I might not be able to handle the workload. If I don't try, I won't fail.

If, if, if…sadly, some of us just stay stuck, unable or unwilling to face the challenges of life.

I believe the main reason we don't move ahead is that we have put our faith in the wrong source or person. We are looking to our own resources and abilities, when we should be relying on the Lord's strength and wisdom. How reliable is our God? I think the words from Isaiah chapter 40 answer that question quite clearly.

"'To whom then will you liken Me that I should be his equal?' says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable." (verses 25, 26 & 28)

In these verses we are given a glimpse of our Lord. By looking at just some of his handiwork we can get a sense of His greatness and power. This is the God we follow. This is the God who loves with a love so high, so deep, and so wide it has no end. Now that our gaze is set on the One who holds all things together, look at what He gives us. It's found in the next three verses.

"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (verses 29-31)

Our Heavenly Father gives us the grace and strength to handle all of life's demands. When we feel like we are walking life's tightrope, the old adage holds true: "Don't look down." Look up into the face of our Lord.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5&6)

Go ahead, open the door.