I have read some heart hard blogs as well as heard from people whose heart was heavy loaded. I too have had those times lately. It made me think about my life. So many good as well as painful moments. I want the good ones to last and for things to be ease for me, my family, friends. Even when I feel I am in a pocket of ease someone I love or care about may not be. I think I have hoped that there is that place where I will glide and be at peace not wrestling.
In ministry I have seen situations where people are totally obedient and yet things get hard and bad. Then there are others who seem to glide on to what we see as glory. I get distracted and off base by that. I want that. I'm realizing that is not my promise from Him. He doesn't want me distracted by the worlds view or even good people's view. He even tells me that I will have persecution. He promises He will be with me. He doesn't say life is about happy but rather joyful in Him. To accomplish the ultimate purpose.
Our time on earth is not about ease. I have had the priveledge of those short moments, but all in all it is about sacrifice, challenge, taking up the cross and following after regardless. This does not mean hopeless but how much more content and free would I be if I really expected trials instead of working to not have any. The real ease is life with HIM as well as our future home with Him in heaven. It makes me more hungry for Him and for my true home. It makes me realize that maybe that is the point, and Maybe the ultimate lie of the enemy is to get God's people striving for the wrong thing....ease.
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Sunday night in our bible study we talked about suffering and what comes from that. It got me thinking about how the hard times make me better able to relate with others, especially when they face the same circumstances. And if life was great all the time, we'd never appreciate it. I know, it sounds cliche and we've heard it all before, but if we didn't have a reason to relate to each other in those times, what would be the point? It's really all a part of an incredibly complex plan.
Amazing.
I don't believe anyone "glides." I think I have been very jealous before because I felt like some people got to. As I have gotten old and gray, however, I realize that my preception is often distorted by my own beliefs and feelings and the fact of the matter is, we all struggle and we all suffer to one degree or another. Those people who appear not to struggle are just better actors and actresses than the rest of us. Or, they are actually doing what you said, resting in Him in the midst of the chaos.
I think you are exactly right, I think God uses our times of heartache to draw us to Himself, assuming we allow that. I don't think all suffering comes from God, by any means, but He absolutely can use all suffering for our benefit and His glory no matter the source.
As you well know, I am a song girl. Songs move me, make me think, teach me, make me cry and sometimes hold great truth. I couldn't pick just one of these, so you get both. :o) I was kind enough to add correlating scripture at the end of each!
Believe Me Now (Steven C Chapman)
I watch you looking out across the raging water
So sure your only hope lies on the other side
You hear the enemy that's closing in around you
I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the strength to stand
And believe Me now, believe Me here
Remember all the times I told you loud and clear
I am with you, I am for you
So believe Me now.
I am the one who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the one who spoke the words and raised the dead
I loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
But do you remember Who I am
Will you believe me now
Believe me here
Remember all the times I told you loud and clear
I am with you and I am for you
So believe me now, believe it's true
I never have, I never will abandon you
The God that I have always been I will forever be
So believe me now
I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure
My words are true and all my promises are sure
So believe me now.
see Ephesians 6:13
Praise You in the Storm (Casting Crowns)
I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day,
But once again, I say amen, and it's still raining,
But as the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain
I am with you
And as Your mercy falls, I will raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away
I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are, no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand
You've never left my side, and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.
I remember when, I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You and raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone, how can I carry on,
If I can't find You,
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of Heaven and Earth.
see Psalm 121:2-3
whew, talk about a book. Love you!!
And yet Jesus says his burden is "easy", and his yoke is "light". I say that not because I disagree with your post, I don't, but to wonder outloud what Jesus meant. It seems to me the kind of "suffering" that comes from the pursuit of ease is self induced, and likely not the kind of suffering God so often refers to. I think your reference to those who are totally obedient (if that is possible) and still find their road leads to suffering are the ones that are much more difficult to sort out. I agree with bttrfly about those who are better actors, but I also think we would be remiss not recognize that there are those who because of their relationship with God don't view suffering as suffering, and they are not acting at all, they are putting on display a life under the reign and rule of Someone beyond them, yet still in them. Thanks for your post, alot of this stuff is really fresh for me right now, and I'm discovering that God is, in fact, in the middle of suffering.
Hmmmm. Lots to think about.
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