 |
| Ladybug lesson |
Not a “humbug”, just a little
beetle. This cute little fella’ caught my attention while he and I were walking
along our garden path. I watched him for a block or two (pathway blocks, that
is). I noticed he had one wing out, so I thought he was about to take flight.
But, he just kept walking, plodding along the path, one wing up.
Then he found this long tendril
of monkey grass that reached down to his path and took him to new heights. It
served as a bridge to him to explore another area of the garden. He took the
bridge and disappeared into the jungle of monkey grass and mint that surrounds
our little pond. A new adventure I’m sure, for a brave little beetle.
As a Christian, if I had wings, I
would have one in the air too, ready to take flight to the place where there
will be no more pain, tears, suffering…and we will be with Him. Streets of
gold, pearly gates, the tree of life all call to me and I eagerly await being
there. I understand the weight of carrying hurt, pain, and suffering. We all feel
it to some extent, and some seem to be asked to carry more than their share. It
can leave us all ready to fly away
from it all.
Pain not only hurts, it adds
insult to injury by telling us lies like “You
are all alone. No one cares or has experienced or understands the pain you have…”
Special days and holidays bully in to multiply our suffering even more. They
hold before us things and people in the past that we mourn, while it seems
everyone else has their cup filled with joy. We see our limitations and compare
to others going full steam like that pink drummer-bunny. We remember hopes and
dreams that never came to be…chronic pain and suffering that seem to have no
end in sight…all mount up like bricks one on top of another on top of us making
us ready to just leave it all behind – if we could just fly away. The temptation is real, but what blessings we
would miss if we were exempt from pain.
You may have far more experience with pain and suffering than do I,
but here are a couple of blessings I have experienced.
#1 He draws me nearer to
Himself. When I have no answers, no relief, no hope…the only place to go is
on my knees to Him. It is really a good place to be. He wraps me in His arms
with love like no other. He holds me close and gives me strength and peace that
only He has. It has absolutely been the most traumatic and painful times in my
life that have grown me closer to Him. He WILL walk you through it too. He is
faithful like that.
#2 He uses us to show others how to go through pain. While
Christians have access to this unending reservoir of life-giving hope,
non-believers do not. They need to see and hear and have a living example of
how to do it, how to live in a difficult circumstance. And how to live with
hope and love and joy even in the midst of suffering. Many have been shown the
way by someone living it out, someone just like you.
Is it easy? N.O.
Paul felt the weight of being
stoned, beaten, jailed, persecuted…and like any of us, he longed for it to end.
“If I am to live on in the flesh, this
will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions,
having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better; yet to
remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. And convinced of this,
I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy
in the faith.” Philippians 1:21-25 He chose the will of God over his
comfort and desires.
Jesus was the perfect example of
enduring. He knew of the brutal treatment and death He was about to face. So,
He prayed. He (like all humans) knew the agony of pain and He prayed “if it is possible, let this cup (of suffering) pass from Me…” But, that is not how His prayer ended. “…yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” God’s plan was more important to Jesus, than
His temporary suffering.
It helps us too, to have an
eternal perspective. This too shall pass,
eternity doesn’t. When we focus on our
future, our eternity, it makes the burdens of today easier to carry. Christians
will be forever in the presence of the Creator, and in heaven so glorious there
is no comparison to the experience we have here on earth!
Paul and Jesus left examples for
us today. They both continued on the path God set before them, even though it
involved intense personal suffering. It’s
our turn to be examples now. There are many others going through times of hurt
and need to see Him and His hand at work. Could it be that YOU could be used
like Paul to reach others who need to see faith being lived out? Could YOU walk
alongside someone who needs a word of encouragement? Not as a pity partner, but
as an encourager. When they see that you can walk through it, so can they - when
you both rely on God.
Yep, I’m ready to go into
eternity! BUT, I’m still here in the temporary…So, what do I do until then? If we take an example from this little bug -
#1 Raise your hand (or
wing)
to reach out to Him,
to remind yourself
this is temporary, and it WILL pass
to reach out to help
someone else.
#2 Be prepared to leave or stay. Know your God and be willing to go
and do whatever He asks, whether His purpose is for you is to go or stay. HINT-you are reading this, so this means YOU
are staying for now.
#3 Plod with purpose. Put one foot in front of the other. Keep doing
what He has for you to do. You will step into eternity in His timing. Meanwhile,
find someone to encourage who needs to see the hand of God at work.
Father in heaven
We are so very thankful that You loved us so much that even though You
could have abandoned us and the pain, You were willing to stay and endure
suffering and grief beyond anything we can imagine, for our sake.
We find ourselves in a world of suffering and look to You for help.
Help us to remember to live as You did, seeking to show others the way. Help us
to see even more ways to show You to this dark and lonely world.
I pray You will strengthen the person reading this now, with Your
strong and mighty arm. I pray You give them peace and courage and direction for
the life of purpose You designed for them. Thank You for showing us
encouragement even in the tiniest of things around us, and help us to be an
encouragement while we are here.
My wing is up and I am looking to You, ready to go or stay according to
Your plan and desire for me. Thank You for being with me and guiding my path.
More stories of faith for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment