What do you do when God WORKS and you don't really like it? I'm one hundred percent certain that it means the problem is with me and my thinking, and not with God and His working.
Here's just one example:
For the past couple of months some of our closest friends here have been considering what God would have them do about moving. Not across town or even to another town nearby. No. Across the country. Pretty much as far away from Michigan as you can get and still be in the US. God has definitely been working to show them each step in this process, and it's not like it's a done deal - they are still praying, and I am still in complete and total denial. Friends like this just don't happen every day. I have to be honest. I. don't. want. them. to. move. But God might, and I need to be okay with that.
So here is where the practical part of my theology, my view of God, is supposed to kick in, and I'm supposed to start asking the right kind of questions.
What do I know to be true about God? He is Sovereign, He has a plan, it is for our good, it will give Him glory, He wants us to trust Him, He loves us, He knows what is best. He has promised to lead us, never leave us, give grace, give wisdom, provide, and the list goes on. (I'm already reassured, how about you?)
What do I know to be true about myself? I do not know best, I am not perfect, am not eternally minded, have no idea what God's long-term plans are, cannot be trusted, have a heart that is sinful and selfish. I am helpless, without wisdom, weak, needy.
Sounds like the perfect fit. As long as I trust Him. And guess what? There are more things God is doing that, at first look, are "uncomfortable" for me. But He is at work in my heart, too. He gives more grace, more strength for me to trust Him in every situation, every day. I cannot handle the daunting task of yielding my will, of trusting, but God can. He is working - in our friends, in this specific situation, and in my heart.
I am learning. Slowly, but richly - beyond knowing in my head. I am growing in grace. I am growing in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior, a knowledge that comes by experience, by tasting to see that the Lord is GOOD. And I am learning to praise Him, to bless His name, His works, at all times.
12 comments:
Thank you Jenny for that word! You have no idea how much I needed to read that! Love you.
My best friend moved to Arizona 2 yrs ago. THey trusted God, and I trusted God that that is where he wanted them. I miss her every day, but we quickly discovered that we will always be best friends no matter where she lives. :) And some day that will probably be Africa!
What do you mean God has a plan. Other than the big plan to live with him forever? My friend is struggling with this b/c her mother-in law was hurt pretty bad after a fall. Sometimes people say well god's got a plan. Like he will make it all work out (and sometimes he does). I keep saying to her as long as your husband doesn't blame god b/c he didn't do it to her. She is confused about the whole god has a plan thing. What do people mean when they say that? I have heard people say oh, my daughter married a jew and we pray for him everyday but you know god's got a plan or we don't know if so-in-so will make it but god's got a plan for their life. I know its a big question to ask here. :)
Amanda, GREAT question! Thanks so much for asking it! And you're right - it's a biggie! Give me a couple days and I will write a separate post, ok? I want to make sure I can explain it clearly. And I can't wait! :-) This is one of my favorite things to talk about!
Of course, Jesus told us to 'love our neighbor as ourself'. So loving your friends (and missing them) is not a bad thing. And like Kara said, they can be your friends no matter where they live...that is why we have BLOGS! :)
And like Michael W. Smith sings:
"And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends." (...now... don't start crying...)
I hope that this helps...
Love Great Aunt Rosemary
This was me yesterday! I can't go into any detail but I was very upset because of something that God allowed and is in control of. I cried and complained but eventually, I knew what I had to do.
We are dealing with different issues but our God is the same. How thankful I am that He is so forgiving of my little tantrums and selfishness. I definitely identify and I thank you for this post. :) I am praying for you!
Thanks I sent her your blog address. It's a hot topic with me too. I have friends who are so bitter with God b/c their person died. It's sad really. I think that phraise god has a plan gets tossed around a lot people don't really know what it means.
Nicole, thanks for leaving those verses. I am going to take your comment off for now, just because I want to give a little background in a future post. But I will be sure to include the comment again later this week. I really appreciate you taking the time to type all of that out, and I will be sure to post it again. THANK YOU!
Sounds like the position I was in about 3 1/2 years ago when the same person you are talking about left me. :-( And obviously because of biology our bond was even closer. :-) The struggles and thoughts I have now is that I may see her even less than the last 3 1/2 years. Ugh...
I just keep reminding myself, this is better than Africa, more affordable anyway! :-)
I'm so glad you have been blessed by this beautiful woman as I have. Shes the best!
Let me tell you something. The hardest thing to do sometimes is let go. Josh and I moved to AZ two years ago (Kara's Jenny) It was the hardest and the rightest thing we did. Somtimes it hurt so bad to be saying goodbye that I could barely stand ESPECIALLY to Kara and our families. God has such a perfect plan though. EVEN though it hurts. Growing pains. That's all it is.
jenniferlabo@yahoo.com if you want to talk about it more. :)
Yes those verses were great. It's when your atanding at the bed side of a friend who's family was in a near death accident with her 3 kids and husband that I wonder how to express God's plan.
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