When I think of the phrase, “No big deal, it reminds me of wheat harvest. One summer helping my uncle Bob at wheat harvest we had a little adventure. Rain always comes after it’s done and then it’s time to harvest. Sometimes we end up with ponds in the field. Sometimes you see them and sometimes you don’t. My grandpa was going along cutting and he buried the combine right down to the axles. Bobby had me run him to get a tractor. He put my brother in one and Bobby in the other. We had two, two hundred horsepower tractors pulling that combine.
They weren’t making much headway. They dug huge ruts down to the front and rear axles before he would reposition the tractor. Finally the combine started moving backwards. It was coming out and headed straight for the ruts the tractors made these were 3 feet deep and 4 feet or so wide. Bobby was jumping and whistling and flapping his arms like a goose learning to fly. He was trying to get grandpas attention. He finally did, but it was inches before the next hole. We got everything cleared up and I asked him how he was going to get rid of the ruts. He said it’s no big deal I’ll just chisel over them and after a couple passes they will fill in. He clearly had a big deal for a bit but in no time the situation was no big deal. This is the same uncle that helped me to enjoy carnival rides and taught me more things than I can recite. He has always had the no big deal attitude. How are we looking at life? Are we looking at the challenges as no big deal or are they becoming life altering? When we think of our trials and tasks we have to put our minds in the passive place. It’s no big deal. Otherwise the trauma shakes us and makes us gun shy. When we become skeptical it is more difficult to submit to the spirit and stay focused on our purpose as these other things become distractions. There are over 125 miracles in the Bible. They were no big deal. One such miracle occurred in 2 Kings 3:9-25 MSG. “The king of Israel, the king of Judah Jehoshaphat , and the king of Edom started out on what proved to be a looping detour. After seven days they had run out of water for both army and animals. The king of Israel said, “Bad news! GOD has gotten us three kings out here to dump us into the hand of Moab.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of GOD anywhere around through whom we can consult GOD?” One of the servants of the king of Israel said, “Elisha son of Shaphat is around somewhere—the one who was Elijah’s right-hand man.” Jehoshaphat said, “Good! A man we can trust!” So the three of them—the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom—went to meet him. Elisha addressed the king of Israel, “What do you and I have in common? Go consult the puppet-prophets of your father and mother.” Elisha did not appreciate only being contacted when they needed something. Do you ever feel used? “Never!” said the king of Israel. “It’s GOD who has gotten us into this fix, dumping all three of us kings into the hand of Moab.” So Elisha is obedient in spite of his true feelings. Anyone ever feel like not doing the right thing because of a jerk? Ever feel taken advantage of but you take the high road to help instead? Elisha said, “As GOD -of-the-Angel-Armies lives, and before whom I stand ready to serve, if it weren’t for the respect I have for Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I wouldn’t give you the time of day. He then pauses and prepares his heart for worship. That’s what he means by needing a minstrel. During the worship the power of God came on Elisha. He then said, “ GOD ’s word: Dig ditches all over this valley. Here’s what will happen—you won’t hear the wind, you won’t see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill.” It’s no big deal. This is easy for God to do. In the morning the water had arrived, water pouring in from the west, from Edom, a flash flood filling the valley with water. Here these kings had a major fear and were about to be destroyed. Let alone running out of resources. Elisha sought God through worship and God revealed to him a plan. They were miraculously replenished and they received favor in spite of not deserving it. These King’s ventured into war a little unprepared. We all have pressed forward thinking we were going in the right direction only to find ourselves felling desperate and about to die. There is nowhere to turn. For us the situation is overwhelming and seemingly impossible. For God it’s no big deal. Just like Jehoshaphat we need to be seeking Gods guidance. When God guided and they submitted to his wisdom they had favor and had the privilege of seeing the miraculous. If they would not have solicited God they would surely have died. We must remember this for our own life. God wants to be a part of it, not apart from it. We are commanded in Ephesians chapter 6 to be strong in the Lord. Take the time to press in. You just might discover what to do for your miracle. Take time to experience almighty God. Notice the parallel of seeking and worship. These are essential when searching for your breakthrough or direction. When you sing are you saying the words or are you crying out to your savior. Even when you are walking in the will of God sometimes you may feel used or taken advantage of like Elisha. Remain obedient. You don’t know what God is up to. Note the miracle didn’t come from the obvious but instead the obscure. This is a reminder for us to submit instead of trying to outsmart God. Miracles are what God does best. Be expecting one. Jeremiah 32:17 says nothing is too difficult for Thee. Moses cried out at the Red Sea. God responded, it’s no big deal and then He divided the sea. Joshua was obedient circling the city playing music and God responded it’s no big deal. The walls of Jericho fell. The earth stood still for a day, it was no big deal. A widow’s son was raised from the dead, 100 hungry men were fed, the star of Bethlehem, Peter cut off a man’s ear and all of this was no big deal. The miracles for you are no big deal. The promotion no big deal, the car problem, the bills, the sickness, the relationship restoration or any problem that comes your way is no big deal. Now it’s your turn. When you feel the stress, the panic, and the frustration. Cast that burden on Christ and tell yourself, it’s no big deal.
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AuthorPhilip Lukens is the senior pastor of the Carr Community Church. To receive updates please enter your e-mail address below and click subscribe. Archives
December 2020
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