Life always has a way of giving us more than one way to interpret it. We are usually given any number of chances to look at life as victims or victors. It's more than just being a "glass is half-empty" mentality. It's taking that glass filled with any amount of water and seeing how far it will stretch. What are the possibilities with 4 o.z. of H2O.
I was spending a very nice evening with my best friend last night at a coffee shop. We were sharing things in our lives and we discussed the topic of being in really difficult places. The kind of places where you have to stop and analyze every area of your life. Asking questions like, "Have I been doing everything I am supposed to be?" "Am I walking in lock-step with my Creator?" "What should I be doing while I wait for this incredibly painful thing to pass?" Or, "Do I need to make peace with this 'thing' that has been allowed into my life?"
We discussed Paul and his thorn in the flesh from 2nd Corinthians 12:7 "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." We pondered that idea. The idea that God would bring something into our lives to keep us humbled and totally dependant upon Him.
I have had people ask me if I am "all the way well yet" and if I worry that I will ever be completely healed. My answer is two-fold. I very much believe my complete healing is coming, but I also know that it cannot come until I am able to handle the responsibilities that come with a strong and healthy body. See, we are all given gifts. We were put here for service. But, its easy to go our own way and do what WE want to do with that strength and energy. I worry about passing that test. Right now I am still forced to rest. And, during those times I lay down in the quiet, it reminds me of how dependent upon God I am for every moment of my day. That every ounce of energy is a gift and needs to be used as such. I know people who are the total "energizer bunny" in its original form. Their lives go on without much more than a little hick-up here and there. But, my question is this..."Are you doing all God has called you to?" "Do you understand that we all must be called into account for the time we spent on this earth?" I have to ask myself these same questions. There are many times I have missed the mark altogether. I've had times of coming close and times of knowing I did exactly what I should have been doing. It's a work in progress.
The point of being in these hard places is really about being put to the test. James 1:2-4 says, "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." Most of us love the idea of being mature and complete, not lacking anything...how nice does that sound? The reality of that lies in the first part of the verse. We must face some trials...we must be tested. Our faith is not worth anything unchallenged and unrefined. There is no growth to those of us who avoid pain at all cost...trust me...I know this one from experience. Don't get me wrong now. I'm not exactly running towards a burning building or anything. I'm not looking for trails or am enjoying not being fully recovered. I just know that for what ever reason this is where God has me and I don't want to miss the opportunities to take a few more baby steps towards maturity and completeness. I want to walk this earth with humility reminding myself that I have come from ashes and it only takes a moment of arrogance to send me back to that heap. I have to remind myself that perfection lives in heaven and progress belongs here on earth.
Psalm 16:5-11
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Many blessings to you who walk through the valley today. Who wonder where God is in all of your circumstances. In your past, present and future He is there standing next to you. He has said, "never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." As we trust and walk forward in faith, know that the thing that seems to have you chained down may be the very thing that God will use to bring about a harvest of righteousness.
God is Good!
Tanya
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