Masquerade Truths
Ok, so last night I went to the Masquerade to hear The Less play. It wasn’t the first time I had been to a concert to see The Less, but it was the first time that I have ever been to the Masquerade. For those of you unfamiliar with that venue, they have three different stage areas: Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell. Ironically, The Less were playing in Hell. I thought it was cool that my first trip to the Masquerade put me in Hell!
Anyway, while we were waiting for the band to play, one of the guys from church who went on the men’s retreat made the comment that we went from the mountain top last weekend to Hell this weekend (for posts on the Men’s Retreat click here, here, or here). I thought that was a pretty interesting comment and it really resonated with me. First of all, hearing The Less play is nothing like being in Hell. They are a great band and really good guys. In fact, Adam Courtney is kind of like a hero to me. Anyway, what made it interesting was the idea behind the comment. How often have we found ourselves feeling like we are moving between extremes? How often do we feel like we have just experienced something awesome, only to have what seems like the worst day ever just after that? Do you ever fail to enjoy something because you are wondering what bad event is going to ruin it? I know that I have.
The truth behind that comment is that life takes twists and turns. There are days where you feel like you are on top of a mountain. You feel close to God, things are going great, life seems in sync. Then, there are days where you feel like you are in the lowest valley. You struggle with questions, nothing seems to work right, nothing feels like it is in sync. We have all been there. The truth to remember is that God is with us in the twist and turns. Going back to my story, I know God was on the retreat working in the lives of those men on the mountain. I also know that God was at the Masquerade last night, smiling as His children were using the talents He gave them, especially since those guys give glory to God in their lives. So, if you are in the midst of a twist or turn today, know that God is with you. He promises to never leave nor forsake. Trust in that and you can make it through the valley. Do you believe that, or am I off? Let me know, or tell me when you have gone from one extreme to the other.
