Today has been an encouraging day for me with the counseling ministry. It’s such a privilege to hear what God is doing in the lives of the precious people He has put in my path. His faithfulness just overwhelms me! And I feel ridiculous when I say that because I shouldn’t be surprised…..and yet I am just astounded by Him again and again! His timing, His mercy, His grace and His love truly are so much more than we can fathom! May I never become complacent or contemptuous towards the wonder of God!
My husband has a small IT company and times have been tough. Not only is business a little on the slow side, but his clients are just as stretched as everyone else, and we have not been receiving some of the payments in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, when I am in the thick of these challenges, it is so easy to become discouraged. I want God to just swoop in and fix it!! Fix the problems, tell the clients that owe us money to just pay us, and make everything comfortable.
But God is not in the business of making us comfortable; He is in the business of making us into images of Jesus. According to Romans 8:29: For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son (NASB). Larry Crabb speaks beautifully to this process in his book “The Pressure’s Off”. Some of what I read there didn’t make me too happy! What’s wrong with wanting to have a comfortable life? Doesn’t God want to give us the desires of our heart?
I think the problem arises when I want my comfort more than I want God. When His will for me (making me into a ‘Little Jesus’) trumps my desire for a comfortable life, I think He doesn’t love me as I believe He should. I have to constantly remember the prayer, “thy will be done” and then be willing to put that into practice. So, if that means that Bob and I have to rest in His provision during this season of financial struggle, than I have to be willing to surrender my will to His. I must say, this isn’t my favorite lesson, but I know that it is a valuable one. I have learned that God’s timing is perfect….even when I don’t think it is. But I’m also remembering: I’m being conformed into the image of His Son. That is God’s work. I need to be just as excited about what He is doing in my life as I am about what He is doing in the lives of my clients.
There's tough lessons in pruning - in everything: our lives, our finances, our churches - thank God that His will is being done, He is Sovereign! Like you, not fond of the pruning- but love what comes along with it if we're looking and expecting great things from Him. Thanks for your thoughts, Gayle.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning (slowly) to see my uncomfortable situations as a blessing- direct reminders of my need to depend on God for everything. How quickly I forget that I am not in charge, or capable of being in charge, when I am comfortable!
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend, for sharing your observations.