“My idea of God is not a divine idea. It has to be shattered time after time. He shatters it Himself.”
― C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
― C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
EXODUS 13-15
13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”(14:13-14)
MATTHEW 19:1-15
13Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
JOURNAL
It is hard to be still and trust God. It is hard to not panic when things are falling apart. I can't blame the Israelites for the panic that ensued when Pharaoh began to pursue them. Over and over again though the command of God is to have the faith and trust of a child.
I think one of the hardest things in life is watching your child struggle. It’s agonizing and too often stepping in and helping is the absolute wrong thing to do. More often as they get older they need understanding and someone to walk the tough road with them…rather than finding the quickest solution.
Suffering and struggle does so many good things, it develops endurance, toughness, perseverance and ultimately confidence.
Over this past year I have seen one of my boys struggle…I’ve seen his confidence waver, I’ve seen him close to despair, I’ve heard the crack in his voice as he discusses bad days. Yet as we approach the one year mark since those struggles surfaced, I have seen something remarkable…I’ve seen a resolve in him that is palpable, a resolution to see it through, a refocus on what really matters, a courage to face his demons and a passion to beat them.
What I’ve learned is the same thing I have learned in my own life. Struggles and adversity are not to be avoided or feared…but rather embraced. In my recent devotions walking through the life of Joseph and Moses…God’s provision of struggle was their greatest gift. It molded them into great leaders…for what would Joseph have been without the humility of prison, or Moses without the humility and knowledge of the desert.
Father I am so grateful for today and all your provisions. I am grateful for the journey and all those that have been there to encourage us along the way. Your infinite wisdom shatters my finite understanding.
It is hard to be still and trust God. It is hard to not panic when things are falling apart. I can't blame the Israelites for the panic that ensued when Pharaoh began to pursue them. Over and over again though the command of God is to have the faith and trust of a child.
I think one of the hardest things in life is watching your child struggle. It’s agonizing and too often stepping in and helping is the absolute wrong thing to do. More often as they get older they need understanding and someone to walk the tough road with them…rather than finding the quickest solution.
Suffering and struggle does so many good things, it develops endurance, toughness, perseverance and ultimately confidence.
Over this past year I have seen one of my boys struggle…I’ve seen his confidence waver, I’ve seen him close to despair, I’ve heard the crack in his voice as he discusses bad days. Yet as we approach the one year mark since those struggles surfaced, I have seen something remarkable…I’ve seen a resolve in him that is palpable, a resolution to see it through, a refocus on what really matters, a courage to face his demons and a passion to beat them.
What I’ve learned is the same thing I have learned in my own life. Struggles and adversity are not to be avoided or feared…but rather embraced. In my recent devotions walking through the life of Joseph and Moses…God’s provision of struggle was their greatest gift. It molded them into great leaders…for what would Joseph have been without the humility of prison, or Moses without the humility and knowledge of the desert.
Father I am so grateful for today and all your provisions. I am grateful for the journey and all those that have been there to encourage us along the way. Your infinite wisdom shatters my finite understanding.
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