We live in a society that hungers
adrenaline highs. Real adrenaline, however, does not come from the pleasures of
this world. In the end, they leave us empty, and usually depressed and
guilt-ridden as well, with no hope in sight. No wonder the suicide rate is so
high!
Real adrenaline never leaves us empty. Instead of
tearing us down, it builds us up. Instead of leaving in utter defeat, it makes
us victorious, filling us with true, fulfilling love and purpose. That kind of
adrenaline cannot be found in the shady corners of our planet. It comes straight
from God!
"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy.
I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they
ever dreamed of." (John 10:10 The Message)
The first day we were in New Zealand we met some
really nice people -- a retired couple traveling with their son and
daughter-in-law. We were staying at the same bed-and-breakfast in Dunedin, and
that first breakfast we had together was far from ordinary. Although they were
from Singapore and we, from Canada, and although they were Muslims and we,
Christians, we hit it off right away. It was if we had been friends for years.
I still remember the daughter-in-law leaving her fresh
mushroom omelet to get us a map of the Caitlins, our next destination in our
trek through this gorgeous country. We were sad to leave, but we prayed that
somehow we would meet again.
Our one week trek through the Southern island went by
in a flash, and when we registered at our last bed-and-breakfast on the island,
in Christchurch, we were told that we would be sharing the house with a
traditional Muslim family from Singapore. Thinking nothing more of it, we then
left the bed-and-breakfast to visit the city. Upon our return, we noticed a
familiar looking car in the driveway. Could it be the same car we shared the
driveway with in Dunedin? After all, our housemates there had been a Muslim
family from Singapore ...
But no. That wouldn't be possible.
We had just entered and were saying good-night to our
hosts when we heard footsteps in the hallway. Imagine our surprise when we
turned to meet our Singapore friends from Dunedin! God had made it possible for
us to meet again. Once more
we enjoyed our time together, and we exchanged email addresses before leaving.
What are the chances that without any former planning,
people who have just met in a bed-and-breakfast in a foreign country will meet
up again in another bed-and-breakfast, a week later, in a distant city? After
all, we could have booked any of the hundreds
of accommodations in Christchurch! In fact, our hosts emailed me later to tell
us we were the talk of town. Such things just didn't happen in Christchurch! But
there are no coincidences with God. Besides, I'm used to this. Ever since the
day I decided to follow in Jesus' steps, my life has NEVER been dull.
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished
this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he
was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with
anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place
of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith,
go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed
through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Heb
12:2-3 The Message)
He gives us victory my friends! He gives us a life
worth living. Never can any of these fading attractions of the world match the
love, the forgiveness, the victory and the adrenaline that God provides us with
on a daily basis. It's time that we let our dusty toys rest and enjoy the One
who guarantees us a " better life than [we] ever dreamed of."
The email exchange with our friends from Singapore has
gotten off to a slow start, however I believe we will meet again. When God opens
wide doors, we can expect the impossible! He always has a purpose!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.