Archive for suffering
Remembering and Overwhelmed
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It is Good Friday, and my thoughts are directed towards my Savior and the suffering He went through during this next 24 hour period nearly 2000 years ago. As I sit here in my comfortable chair, drinking my coffee and listening to the sounds of a couple of my children as they go about their day, I am overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the fact that Jesus did what He did… and that He did it for me. Overwhelmed that God the Father would allow His Son, His PERFECT Son to bear the pain and suffer as He did. I am overwhelmed that by no merit of my own, the God of heaven showed favor on me by allowing Jesus to become sin for me… actually, it was more then that, He took upon Himself the sin of all humanity, so that we could come to God in a right relationship.
I am also overwhelmed, because even though God did all of this for me, I still sin. I am overwhelmed with the fact that Jesus shed His blood, yet I am still a selfish individual who chooses my way instead of His many times. I am overwhelmed to know that God’s plan is still to use me to love others and help them take their next step towards Him, even when all of my steps are not always in the right direction. I am overwhelmed knowing, that with all of the good that I think I do, it is still not enough to merit the love that He pours on me every day.
I am overwhelmed…
A Good Reminder
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I read the book of Philippians today. It is probably my favorite book in the Bible. Every time I read it, I am reminded specifically of two things:
1. That Christ Jesus showed what true humility in coming to this earth, living a Holy life ( what an example for me), and then going to the cross on my behalf. (chapter 2:5-8)
2. My happiness is found is so many things out side of myself. I may go through rough spots here and there, but if I get my focus off of me, and on things that bring true joy I can then live life to the full.
Paul tells us in this book that he finds joy in several things: others (the Philippians themselves, chapter 1), sharing the the gospel (Chapter 2) and God Himself (Chapter 4). He then goes on to explain that he has learned to be content! WOW! Contentment, what is that? It is a foreign word to most of us in the good old USA. But Paul says rich or poor, sick or healthy, respected or not, he had learned to be content, because his sources of joy were outside of himself. What a great reminder for me today. Thanks God!
What HE intends
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Been reading the book of Job this week. For me, when I get a little discouraged, it has always helped to remember that I am hardly facing anything as bad as someone else is. Job is one of those guys who goes through a ton of awful events that God has allowed. God allows this even though Job is the most righteous man that is walking the planet at the time. Job did nothing to deserve this. He would not have wished his circumstances on his worst enemy. But though he did not deserve it, God allowed it, and Job makes some incredible statements throughout the ordeal. One that really got me today, and really helped me with my life at the moment, is what he says is Job 23:8-14:
Job 23:8-14 (Contemporary English Version)
8 I cannot find God anywhere–
in front or back of me,
9 to my left or my right.
God is always at work,
though I never see him.
10 But he knows what I am doing,
and when he tests me,
I will be pure as gold.
11 I have never refused to follow
any of his commands,
12 and I have always treasured
his teachings. 13 But he alone is God,
and who can oppose him?
God does as he pleases,
14 and he will do exactly
what he intends with me.
That last part really got me today. I could sit and be nervous and feel useless and unwanted as I wait for God’s leading in our ministry, but guess what? No matter how I feel, God will do exactly wht HE intends with me. That is heavy stuff! He is God alone, He will do as He pleases and it does not matter who would try to oppose Him! WOW! Thanks for that one today God. It has been a long week, and that is just what I needed!
