learning

     The 31st season of the TV show "Survivor" has recently started.  In the past, this show has taken contestants to remote locations in places like Australia, Kenya, Brazil, Thailand, Guatemala, Panama, Philippines and Fiji.  This season, the contestants find themselves in Cambodia.  Where else can the show possibly go?  Plans for the next "Survivor" series have already leaked out.

Mark Burnett, producer of "Survivor", plans to enlist 12 men who will be dropped in an unidentified suburb with a van, six kids (each of whom play two sports and take either a musical instrument or dance class) and no access to fast food.

They must keep the house clean, correct all homework (receiving at least a "C+" on all papers), complete one science project, cook (OK, they can bring one cookbook), do laundry, care for a dog and a cat, grocery shop, buy birthday presents for kids' friends, etc.

Oh, and they also have access to television only when the kids are asleep and all chores are done, and none of the TVs have remote controls.

The competitions will consist of such things as attending a PTA meeting and accurately reporting the results; cleaning up after a sick child at 3:00 a.m; getting kids to church; making an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and getting a 4-year-old to eat a serving of peas.

The kids vote them off.

The winner gets to go back to his job.

We all have to learn to survive.  Survival that has little to do with living on a desert island or in the Outback of Australia, but much to do with just "getting by" from day to day.  Perhaps you've had to learn to "survive" after being diagnosed with a deadly disease.  Perhaps you've learned to "survive" while raising several children alone after the death or desertion of a mate.  Perhaps you've had to "survive" the last few days of a month as you juggled expenses to make sure that there was enough money to cover meals before the next payday.

If you're in "survival mode," it's difficult for you to plan years down the road.  It's all you can do to get through the day.  And, as much as you might pray for it, you may find that there is no "immunity."  The hardships don't disappear.  And you learn that there is nothing you can do but lean on God.

Which is exactly what He wants you to learn.

"Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:8-10)

May God's grace be with you as you strive to "survive" the difficulties you face today (and be assured that his grace is sufficient).

-alan smith