Hello Friend,
I wanted to write because events had me thinking of you
this week. Our conversation Tuesday wasn't long enough, you asked
a question and I didn't answer it very well. I tried but at that point my youngest had added
twice the needed soap to the laundry. It
was about to get ugly. I’m sorry our time got cut short.
There isn't an easy answer, but I had a
few thoughts that might help. Do you
remember asking why life has to be so hard? I don’t think you were feeling
sorry for yourself, just to be clear.
It’s a brilliant question. But neither do I think you were asking me to start at the Garden of Eden and recite “how
sin entered the world.”
If I was hearing your heart correctly, you were asking me
how to keep going when the demands of life overshadow your ability to
cope. How to find the strength to
keep going when you don’t have it?
Maybe more than that, what on earth does God expect when he
keeps making life so hard?
I confess I had to smile.
Not that I think accusing The Lord is a wise strategy, but I can relate to the feeling.
The sovereignty of God is a weighty subject and we will spend eternity measuring
its magnificence. But when we feel
overwhelmed, everything carnal views God’s sovereignty as an opponent to our desire for a carefree existence. We tire of trials and want God to put life on pause while we catch a moment of stress free
living.
Truth is dear friend, it doesn't work that way. No living creature becomes stronger physically or spiritually by avoiding trials.
Somewhere along the way, you realized that you were God’s enemy and
asked Him to forgive you based Jesus' sacrifice. You asked Him to
become sovereign in your life. You were
saved, cleaned up and delivered. You sang
many songs, declaring God’s sovereignty and rejoicing in His ability to
save. At some point during that worship
time, you asked God to remake your heart and bring your desires in line with
his. You asked for him to become the
Lord of your life. The ironic part is we
beg the Lord to remake us, then pitch a fit when He begins to answer our
prayers.
Think back to some of the worship you have
experienced. Any of these lyrics sound
familiar?
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver
And
the apple of my eye.
You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a king.
I love You more than any other,
So much more than anything.[1]
Or perhaps this one?
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will[2]
Now, as much as we might like to blame people like Marty,
Brian and the entire Hillsong organization for their gifting, it won’t benefit
us much in the long run. Only God’s word
can help you when you find yourself at odd’s with God’s plan for your
life.
Can I encourage you friend, to go back to the basics? Jesus told us what we would face.
These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may
have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have
overcome the world. (John 16:33).
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested
genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is
tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the
revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Sometimes dearest, the answer to, “why is it so
hard?” is simply; because that’s how faith works. You just have to pick yourself up and try to
make it through one more hour by putting your best foot forward regardless of
how insufficient it seems. We can do
that because we have a God who loves to shore up lack, whose power is perfected
in our weakness (2Cor 12:8-10).
One of my girlfriends did something splendidly stellar
this week. For years she has disciplined
herself to wake up before the roosters and head to the gym for a workout. On this particular morning, she found herself
in dark, groping for her shoes. She
found them, grabbed her bag and headed for the car. As she drove to the gym, she tied up her shoe
laces whenever she came to a stop light.
Somewhere during the drive, she realized her shoe laces didn't feel
right. It was too late to turn back. Realizing her mistake, she forged ahead and completed her work out in
style. She was generous enough to share
the photo with me when she came home.
This picture made me think of our conversation. Life can get very, very difficult. But when it is, we must remember we aren't alone. God promises to share the days
with us. We can put on one of our shoes and one of His, knowing that He will bring us through, regardless of how ill equipped
we feel.
Put your best foot forward this week dear heart.
I’m praying for you,
xoxKaren
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