Our green singing finch (center) and cordon bleu finch (left) in their birdie condo, 1964
“I can rest in the fact that God is in control. Which means I can face things that are out of my control and not act out of control.”- Lysa TerKeurst, Unglued
” . . . but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”- Romans 8:5-6 (NIV)
On a typical day in 1964, dawn’s first light shines in the Henning’s living room. Our green singing finch – aka “Bird” – awaits his cue. As I lift the cloth covering the birdie condo, Bird springs into alpha-finch mode. He immediately asserts his dominance over his companion, our docile cordon bleu finch (https://www.crownofcompassion.org/2014/09/02/finch-whisperer/), affectionately known as “Bleuy.” Once Bird settled that issue, they live peacefully the rest of the day.
However, when Bleuy dies, Bird (https://www.crownofcompassion.org/2014/08/19/sing-joy/) remains inconsolable. He’s hoarse from constantly singing his grief song. Although we add a mirror to convince him he’s not alone, we can’t fool him. Ultimately, facing things out of my control, we rescue Bird. We return him to Mr. Erling Kjelland at Sedgwick Studio. Consequently, Mr. Kjelland kindly places Bird in a large cage with many new finch friends.
In his latest book, The Joseph Calling: 6 Stages to Discover, Navigate, and Fulfill Your Purpose, Os Hillman puts forth the truth that we all need an encounter with God along the way. For only an encounter with God provides us with His sustaining and healing power. Furthermore, this pivotal encounter packs major significance during the isolation stage of the Joseph calling. During this stage, we often experience deep feelings of loneliness as well as abandonment.
As a result, Mr. Hillman points out, the isolation stage harbors danger to your psyche. In an effort to cope – when you say “I’m facing things out of my control” – it’s possible to fall prey to many kinds of sin. On the other hand, allowing God to enter this time with you often produces a fruitful season.
Finally, during this stage God blesses you with time to develop an intimate knowledge of and relationship with Jesus. As you separate from the old, you prepare your heart for what lies ahead. And as you serve others amid your pain, you’re God’s conduit of healing to them. Serving’s also the catalyst leading to your own freedom.
In conclusion, John Ortberg (Soul Keeping) contrasts the “with God” life and the “without God” life:
“The ‘with God’ life is not a life of more religious activities or devotions or trying to be good. It is a life of inner peace and contentment for your soul with the maker and manager of the universe. The ‘without God’ life is the opposite. It is death. It will kill your soul.”
