I picked up a book a few weeks ago called Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges. I thought might be helpful as I deal with adolescent girls living at the children's home. Although it was first published 20 years ago, I have never read it. What a treasure!
I am only about 30 pages in largely due to time constraints, but also because it is A LOT to chew on. One of the points I have been pondering quite a bit is that it is much easier for most of us to OBEY God than it is for us to TRUST Him. I think this is what puts many in such danger of becoming Pharisees.
As much as we want all want freedom and 'room to run,' clear lines certainly seem to make us all a bit more comfortable. Bridges asserts that obeying God makes sense to us because His laws generally appear reasonable and wise. We can generally admit God's laws are good for us--even though our flesh may not want to obey them.
Our circumstances, on the other hand, are much murkier. "When unexpected situations arise that appear unjust, irrational, or even dreadful," Bridges writes, "we feel confused and frustrated. And before long, we begin to doubt God's concern for us or His control over our lives."
There are many challenging thoughts throughout the book about what it really means to fully trust God and His sovereignty. I am taken back to a thought from Crazy Love: Can you trust a God you cannot fully understand?
Are you struggling with following God because He defies your logic? We are told throughout Scripture we will not understand Him. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:89
This leaves us with two options, reject him or follow him by faith (not sight).
I love this passage from John 6, when Jesus' own disciples are called out on their doubts:
"From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
'You do not want to leave too, do you?' Jesus asked the Twelve.
Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:66-69 (NIV)
Summer has only begun and I already find myself drifting ever so slightly. I am having a hard time carving out time to focus on Him. There is much to distract me from having an eternal perspective. Circumstances happen that cause me to question how my God operates, but I cannot imagine going anywhere else. There is no doubt in my mind, heart or soul that HE holds the words of life.
5 comments:
I LOVE this. What a lot to chew on indeed! As a lifetime rule follower (first born!) this rings so true for me. I think I'm going to have to just read what YOU wrote a few more times. It would take me a sweet forever to read that book!
Thanks for sharing!
Right on time. It seems that whenever I need a word from God, often it comes from Him through you. Thank you for being obedient and sharing your wisdom. I must find that book this weekend.
Jerry Bridges is my new favorite author. I just read his book: Respectable Sins (outstanding) and now I have his book, The Pursuit of Holiness. He always gives me so much to think about....I highly recommend Respectable Sins (but beware...your life will change).
I hope to read all of his books by the end of summer.
Kelly
Along these lines, Philip Yancey's book "Disappointment with God" is not like any other I've read on the subject. He addresses everything all of us have thought but didn't have the courage to say out loud. And the amazing thing is: After all our doubts, our anger, our disillusionment, even our rebellion.....He still loves us and wants us to love Him!
Such a timely post, for me. I watched a video yesterday that really guided my thoughts onto this unwavering TRUST - that assurance that even in the midst of uncomfortable circumstances God is in control and ALL things are working together to fulfill HIS purpose for our lives.
In the video (55 min), a young mother named Rachel Barkey, who is dying of cancer, uses her experience as a platform to share her TRUST in the Almighty God. You can hear in her speech that she is even encouraging those around her, who are questioning/doubting God because of her experience. Her story will no doubt, leave you in tears BUT her message will leave you in challenged and changed. I don't think I will ever be the same.
The Topic of Rachel's message: Death is not Dying: A Faith that Saves
Here is the link:
http://deathisnotdying.com/fullvideo/
You have such a way with words, If you watch it, I would love to read your thoughts afterwards.
Post a Comment