I just finished reading God's Hostage by Andrew Brunson with Craig Borlase. I love reading books about those who have suffered for the Lord's cause. Not that I love their suffering or the fact that they do have to suffer, but I love their deep, boots on the ground insight, I love to see their human-ness give way to God's victory and I love the way these stories encourage my own faith and make me pray more fervently for my brother and sisters who are persecuted.
Andrew Brunson was imprisoned for his faith in Jesus Christ for over two years in Turkey. His faith was severely tested. At times he felt abandoned and let down by God. But he never gave up. Never stopped communicating with His Father. I can relate to that (not to the extreme suffering and struggle he faced). There are times I feel like God doesn't care. I feel like He's absent from my life. Yet I am thankful that the Lord gave me a spirit that doesn't quit. I keep returning to His side even when I hurt.
Something Mr. Brunson wrote brought a crazy large shift to the way I thought of these times of silence from heaven. He wrote how he finally realized it was not God's faithfulness, loyalty or love that was being tested but his. Wow. Think about that for a minute, or maybe more than a minute.
When I don't get my way how do I react? I say in my heart, "God doesn't love me." "God doesn't care." "God can't be trusted." But what if I turn this around. And when I think these things, when I act angry at God for not doing what I want Him to do when and how I want Him to do it am I not showing that I am the one not faithful, that I am the one not loyal, that I am the one that isn't loving? I am already putting myself above God when I believe my way and my solution is the right way. Then I let my faith in Him slip away.
Ok, tough lesson. But how much more peaceful would our hearts be if we changed our perspective when life doesn't go our way, when trouble comes and even stays awhile, and when we don't get what we think we need or what we want. Would it not be more peaceful and profitable for us to remain loyal to God's love, knowing His character and heart....and echo our Savior in Matthew 26:39 "...My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” That's faithfulness. That's loyalty. That's love. That's the way I want to pass the tests of difficulty and suffering.
Lord, forgive us for being so stubborn. Forgive us for being stiff necked. We, like children, want our own way and we forget that You are God. We forget Your love and Your omniscience. We live and act like we know better. Lord, today, I ask that I will pass every test of faithfulness You allow to come my way. I pray that I will remain loyal and show my love for You by submitting to Your will. I pray that each of us will pray and believe and desire this every day. Thank You for another beautiful God visit. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Memorize Matthew 26:39 and apply the attitude that comes with it. And please pray for those who are persecuted for Jesus' sake. They need our prayers.
Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
My computer is being difficult and it may be time to be getting a new one. Last week it went for service, so if the blog goes down for a day, you'll know I'm working on getting a new one soon so it will be back. I'm hoping to keep this computer as long as I can, but not sure from day to day if it will work. Prayers!
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