Consider in your mind what the Lord has done in your life this past year, this past semester, or this past week. Think about two contrasting experiences and keep them in your mind. What would be the “Best” and “Worst” moment you have experienced? Meaning, your easiest, most victorious, enjoyable moment and your hardest, most crushing, trying moment. Keep those in your mind, I want you to think about them and help me make this more personable. If there is one thing that has been emphasized over and over, it would be faith. Faith, trust, and the ever-present personable acts of my God. It’s a lesson that I will continually be learning as it is continually in front of me. I took Hebrews class with Bro. Rick Williams, which stands as the best class I have took thus far in college, and gave me such a new perspective on the concept and reality of faith. The same semester, just over a year ago, I was in my wreck. It allowed me to see how to practically apply the principles I was taught and what my response should be. In a situation where the odds were against us so much, we walked away with only minor injuries. It was pretty obvious that the Lord had his hand on our lives. We saw the immediate effects of how He protects His children. We were completely safe that night because we were under the control of His hand. Nothing could have hurt us that He did not allow and that would not have taught us something important or given us an opportunity to glorify Him. Any situation we survive is simply proof that the Lord still has a purpose and a task for us on this earth. Life comes with many different waves. For example, the unknown and stress of finances also come with being able to see the incredible ways that He provides for our monetary needs. Ways that we would have never been able to orchestrate ourselves. Such as a day I was rejected yet again from a place of employment. “This was the day I waited five hours in front of a restaurant building waiting for an interview which would go terribly wrong. This was the day I sat hungry, tired, and very emotional all just waiting, and it was perfect. I think a lot. At that moment I had nothing. I had nothing to keep me occupied while I waited; no homework or battery on my phone. I had no car, no ride for a few hours, no food, no money, at that point no interview, no job or one in the foreseeable future... nothing. But you know what, that's okay. Because I had Him...and He was - and is - all I need. As much as I'd like to, I may not know how all the details are going to work out, but I know they will. Fifty seven applications and counting, I can't do it on my own AT ALL, in any sense. It's all Him. He didn't bring me this far to abandon me, so I'm super excited to see what He's going to do. Continuing on, this was also the day I met some random customers who were super sweet and I got to tell them about Southwest, and found some butterscotch lifesavers for my mom. I then immediately received an email from another business wanting an interview, I got to serve at the Alumni banquet (which is my favorite!), and am now working temporarily in the Caf. It was a great day because I serve an amazing God, and I can rest in the comfort of His promise of provision.” In the meantime, He had already planned to have one of your OKC Mom’s bringing you pumpkin bread, a card to be placed in the mail days in advance from a family in another state, and a job literally handed to you on the same night. On one side of the story, it’s difficult to see His hand in the situation. At times I question if I am doing the right thing as I cannot see His working. Though at the other side, it is obvious He was there. But does that leave the previous moments untouched? Certainly there are moments when we can “feel” Him closer or stronger than others; there are spiritual highs. Sin can hinder our communication with Him, and our choices can prevent us from enjoying God’s blessings, but does that mean that He is any less present in those moments? Any more or less in control? Any less at work in the bad times than the good? Psalm 139. 1-14 “O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Who are we to place God in a little box and try to figure out His ways? His thoughts and ways are beyond our comprehension. Whether or not we can look back at the end of our lives and see His hand in it is not the determination or whether God is in it or not. His existence and presence are not reliant upon our opinion and situation. Things that do not make sense to us does not mean that He did not have His hand in it. Despite our sins He protects us and provides for His children. He is always there. There is an indescribable pea that is not understandable but by those who have personally experienced it. That’s why it is indescribable. One can face death without fear because they know He is there to provide and protect. Through daily physical pain and exhaustion, there is a grace and strength provided that is not our own. When the emotional side of life gets hit, there is a comfort and peace that is beyond ourselves. It is the presence of our God. Where abuse is, there is a special measure of grace that comes with healing, comfort, restoration, and forgiveness. The stressful moments, there is a peace and calm that goes with you. Betrayal, loss, grief, loss, rejection, politics, and everything in between… it is His presence … it is all we need and it is there. Even if His ways are opposite of what we would chose, they are still best. Whether “good” or “bad”, “little” or “extreme” in our eyes, the experiences we go through are still in His control, under His protection, and in His care. It is our daily decision to trust Him and allow that faith in Him to influence and effect our attitudes and actions. Psalm 139.7, "Whither shall I go from your Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" John 14.16-18, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not; neither knoweth him, but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." Hebrew 13.5, "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
Motherhood. Ministry. Missions. Archives
January 2023
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