God's been so faithful! During the sermon this morning, Pastor Greg pointed out that often while we're in a trial, we don't want fellowship or wise council because we don't want to be where God is. Yet, when we don't forsake meeting with a body of believers and the opportunity to hear sound doctrine, we often find that God provides the encouragement and instruction we need. That happened to me this morning.
As I've mentioned in previous posts, support raising is the most faith stretching experience I've ever been through. Although I have been getting encouragements and confirmations along the way, things haven't been coming together as quickly as I'd hoped. That seems to be the key though....I have my timetable and my plans that all involve me being in control. God's been showing me lately that the best place for my life to be is out of my control. Dreams can be delayed and face obstacles. God's given promises in His Word to help us through these times.
II Cor 4:17-18 Trials are temporary and they produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope Rom 5:3-4 As Pastor Greg pointed out, bad days are shorter when you rejoice and learn through them and God will never leave you.
Something else that God really used to speak to me was how we should respond. Two of the important responses are to pray and stay with the ship (referring to Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27) Don't run from what's important (relationships, fellowship, values) and don't run from the lesson or you'll face it again until you learn it. Perhaps one of the most important things to remember though is to expect God to help. His Word is full of promises, truth and encouragement if I'll be faithful to dive in and find them.
On the way home from church I heard Somewhere in the Middle by Casting Crowns
The lyrics seem to summarize the trial of releasing control.
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be ...
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender
Without losing all control
Fearless warriors in a picket fence
Wreckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end
We are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences
The God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His
Or are we caught in the middle? ...
Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me...
Lord, I feel You in this place
And I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights
When I'm caught in the middle
No comments:
Post a Comment