Generations of us are now acquainted with James Bond’s familiar quote about wanting his martini “shaken, not stirred.” I am sure those more knowledgeable in the art of martini-making have argued the finer points of his request since he first uttered it. I find that in life, I would prefer to be the opposite, I want to be stirred, but not shaken.
There are many things, good and bad, that come into our lives that can stir us. These things can stir us emotionally, bringing feelings to the surface. They can stir us to action, whether that action is based on love or maybe something else. The ESV Bible says we should, ” consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Stirring can be a good thing, it can get us moving and energize us for work in God’s kingdom.
On the other hand, being shaken is not always a good thing. We sometimes use the phrase, “my faith was shaken.” What we are really saying is that our belief in a good God was shaken. This can be a difficult thing to go through. The reality is that we live in a fallen world where sometimes, in fact oftentimes, bad things happen to good people.
It is during these “shaking” times that it is so important to stay connected with other followers. This is when we can comfort one another and just be there for each other. When the time is right, we can encourage with truth from God’s word. This truth is that God knows all the terrible things that shake us, it is not His ideal for us, but there is an end in sight when once again all will be put right and we will no longer be shaken in that way.
If we follow Jesus’ teaching about building our lives on the firm foundation of His word, we can be more prepared for when the shaking times come. Just as the wise man who built his house upon the rock withstood the storm when it came, we will be more able to withstand the events of this world when they come against us with earthquake-like force.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25a
Leave a Reply