“I have told you
these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33
In my brains filing
cabinet I had already planned for this week’s post. The draft however doesn't fit my hearts cry so I’m headed down a rabbit trail instead of the previously
planned freeway route. We learn more on the scenic route any, right? You know
the narrow path less traveled? The one with thorns and briers from Satan that
snap you in the face and dig into your flesh before you know it’s coming?
We learn there.
In those places.
In the thick of a
messy situation.
We learn in the heat
of not so loving debate with the one you love. Ok, maybe we don’t learn in the
heat of the moment, but we do learn when the sparks have settled, right? Sometimes
I learn without trying. Most recently I didn't learn until I took the step of
seeking, seeking deeper in the woods on the narrow path.
When I get frustrated
and end up face to face with a thorn in my way sometimes I’m ready to throw up my
fists and play knock out if need be.
And sometimes I get
loud, but mostly I get sad….
…I get sad because
life is not as if I think it should be (as if I think I could do one better
than God. I’m sure that gives him a chuckle on occasion). Or I get sad because
I feel too small and so powerless to change the world or the briers that attack.
I have so selfishly deemed my opinions more important than God’s. Toward the world
and its minefields I have chosen lately to see no beauty in the imperfections
of life. How much beauty have I stripped from myself and my world? when I refuse to be comforted by the fact that pressure only creates diamonds and heat refines
gold I strip a little more. I have done this very thing over and over. How it breaks me to realize this. While it
is tough to admit that I have been wrong, it is also freeing to openly admit that
I am not in control. God is. God’s plans for my journey are better than
mine. (Jeremiah 29:11). Yes, I stumble still to daily take the road
less traveled.
I’m hanging on a
metaphorical cliff...
It’s really high up...
If I would just let
go (put all my hope in the Lord) I could soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah
40:31).
But I stay for some reason...
I am stubborn...
I seem to think holding on would be easier...
So often we fall for
the lies that we should continue to fight for our “right”. Our right to plan
our life according to what we think is better than the plans that our Savior
has already set in motion for us. I’d fallen for this lie from Satan when I stopped trusting (w/out realizing it) God's voice of guidance on certain things in my life. I didn't even realize it until I was broad sided by a steam engine at full throttle that
came crashing into my heart and head about 2 am Tuesday morning (metaphorically
of course). I had convinced myself that it was better that I somehow stay on my little cliff or maybe consider a feeble attempt at climbing down when I decided I “felt like it” or "when I got my way for my plans". Plus, my pride was at stake so I had to get what I thought was best. However you look at it I had placed my Savior in the waiting room... the one who was nailed to a tree for me the one who laid down His life that I might live. I told him to just wait...
Ouch...
Can you say t-e-a-r-s...
As it turns out I am
not alone.
You see Peter, he feared like me. He didn't trust.
In Matthew 14 Jesus invited Peter to get
down out of the boat and walk toward him, but he doubted. “Matthew 14:30- but when he
saw the wind he was afraid and, beginning
to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and
caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
When see and
experience troubles why do we doubt? When things don’t happen the way we had
planned why do we doubt? We know there is no need. For Jesus has overcome the
world! And He has our best interest in mind. So He offers for us to have peace (John 16:33)!
Who doesn't want peace in the midst of trails?!
Over the past few
days God has softly delivered an invitation to me and I want to offer it to you
as well.
The invitation is this:
Do not view a bump in the road or a thorn on
your path as a road block. But instead, see those thorns and briers as a chance
to put on your work gloves along with the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and
sharpen your character.
Learning from
the trials that appear as road blocks is perseverance. And James tells us to, “Consider
it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you
know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James
1:2-4)
Though our souls
feel as hopeless as a scolded puppy at times you and I are not failing when we
experience trails. We are being softly and graciously offered the opportunity
to become mature and complete in Christ.
What a gift!
A gift more precious
than diamonds I might add!
So “Take Heart”
for trails create Perseverance!
Until next time!
Persevere!
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