In the midst of emotional turmoil and unpleasant circumstances, I sometimes realize--as though I momentarily step back from my plight and can see with different eyes--that God is training me. Life's an obstacle course of sorts. More often than not, someone sage and loving (e.g., Aunt Melinda), simply points this out to me. I can't even take credit for "realizing" it.
And sometimes in the midst of my own little struggles, I hear news of martyrdom (in this case the missionaries in Turkey) or some other such event that makes my "emotional turmoil" seem like the pettiest of problems. But I wonder if, even in the presence of death, my own obstacle course in human relationships is less than some other event in God's eyes. He works in both situations; He glorifies His name through my little lesson learned and through the horrific earthly death of one of His children. It does challenge my perspective, though. How can I let my attention rest only on my life when my Lord and Master works everywhere? Yes, there is importance in what He's teaching me, but He's not just at work in my heart. And so I feel valued yet realize that I can't just lounge in feeling chastised or valued. God's work is bigger than I. . . . And He has made me part of that work!
In the more logistical side of life, I've got plane tickets for California. Looks like I'm really going to a month of linguistics classes. I wonder what I'll learn there.
5 comments:
the trip to CA will be a great experience ... its good to leave our comfort bubbles from time to time and see new places and experience new things.
I'm sorry for the "growing you are having to do" but then I'm not. Spiritual growth is always good even when it hurts. There have been times in my life when I could have "curled up and died" and those growth times are the ones I treasure most. It was when I felt most loved by God and knew He had me in the palm of His hand. It was also the point when I became a Calvinist: I truly had a greater view of Him and a lesser view of myself. It was the proper order! Know that I am praying for you & my son through this trial. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger or at least makes us more ready for heaven! I love you, Mrs. K
Thanks, Mrs. K! That means so much to me. I'm taking all the encouragement I can get right now. :) I love you, too.
You can't beat the tag team of Allan Thicke and Kirk Cameron!
Your post made me think of Zechariah 7:8-10. God speaks and says to His people these words which would call them to think beyond themselves to the wide world.." Administer true justice" A lifetime could be devoted to that obediance. Then surprizingly the rest of the verses deal with heart work, the individual things of mercy, compassion, the checking of our impulse to 'take advantage of..' then He ends it with these words.."In your hearts do not think evil of each other." Our great God concludes with the validation of and the great importance of, (individual and before His throne) heart work. So do this heart work dear sister and neice and know that our Lord is pleased.
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