No Immunity

They were “high-fliers”, “on the fast track.” By all appearances they were very successful. Nice cars, big homes, and country club memberships were all a part of their lives. By all appearances they had healthy marriages, great kids, and a solid family foundation. They were all Christians, dedicated to Jesus and active in their churches. The husbands and wives often spent time together socially and in other contexts.

This is not to say that everything was perfect. None of them would have said that. The husbands all worked very hard, putting in long hours in their various businesses. They had to deal with the some of the same challenges that other families had to deal with--aging parents, serious illnesses, challenges with their children, and living with the pressure of maintaining the lifestyles to which they had grown accustomed.

For the most part, they were living lives that many would admire and covet. However nothing, absolutely nothing, can make you bullet proof.

When the economy began its downward descent in 2008 and didn’t recover immediately, they all took a hit: a big hit. Two of them lost their businesses. One is still hanging on by his fingernails. One of them had to declare bankruptcy. Their lives were, and still are, under unbelievable pressure. Two of them had marriages disintegrate. Sometimes even solid foundations can crumble under pressure.

There are a lot of lessons here, not the least of which is that “our times are in your hands.” None of us can control everything. Being a “victim of circumstances” is never the whole truth. By their own admission they each had made some mistakes. Perhaps the biggest was that they believed they were on a constant, unwavering upward ascent; that there would never be a dip, let alone a plunge, in their economic well being. They had gotten their head out over their skis too far and were tumbling.

Another lesson that deserves a constant reminder is that being a faithful follower of Jesus doesn’t make us immune from difficulty. Prosperity, well being, success, and good health are not guaranteed to us because we are one with Jesus.

Certainly that isn’t the case in the Bible. God’s people suffer. And, not unlike us, they suffer because of circumstances, situations, and others, as well as their own missteps.

As I look back on my own life, I made many of the same mistakes my friends had made, but dodged a bullet on paying such a high price. Too often my family came in second to my profession. I was not always aware that part of my drive to succeed was fueled by ego needs disguised as ministry. I have had moments when I have questioned difficulty in my life when I have pledged to serve God professionally, as if my service was to make me immune from life itself. The whole time God has been patient with me. God has confronted me with my shortcomings and has walked alongside of me when I have been paying the price for my own failings.

My friends continue on. Because they are talented and hard working, they are all in various degrees of recovery. They have learned lessons, changed habits, and refocused their lives and try to pass that on to others. They have a deeper appreciation for God’s grace, mercy and love than ever before.