Graceful Truth

"GIVE ME AN ORDER OF NORMAL PLEASE!"

October 21, 2020

I long for a bit of normal. Heading to church with a full room of our friends. No masks. No COVID. No bitter election season. No sickness. No anger. No riots. No empty football stands with silly cardboard cutouts and piped in fan noise (who thought of that?) No hypocrisy by me or anyone else.
 
But, do you know what I'd rather have than all of that? Jesus. I'm not being smug or super-spiritual. I really need and want more of Jesus in my life, my thoughts. I want to be better refined into His image. More grace. More prayer. More humility. More glad surrender to His control. More spiritual power. More boldness to share the good news with others.
 
I once heard Adrian Rogers say, "I don't know how much of Jesus you have, but I know you have all you want." God is not withholding Himself from us. He just has a path to know Him that was not on our radar.
God has always allowed the struggles of this present world to accomplish higher purposes. He wants to bring us to brokenness and the glad surrender of our wills so we will lay down our idols and turn to the only One who can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls.
 
So, I need not resent these these trials as "intruders, but welcome them as friends, knowing they come to test our faith and produce in us the quality of spiritual endurance" (James 1:2-3, Phillips translation). I need to embrace God's sovereign activity in my world and my life for His glorious purposes.
 
I'd love some normal, but I don't want it at the expense of not knowing Him who is life indeed.


Also in Graceful Truth

THE RELIABLE MERCY OF GOD
THE RELIABLE MERCY OF GOD

November 20, 2024

God’s mercy is His goodness poured out on undeserving people. It is God not giving people what they deserve but what He desires to give because He is God.

Continue Reading

FINDING GRACE IN THE WILDERNESS
FINDING GRACE IN THE WILDERNESS

November 19, 2024

“The people … found grace in the wilderness.” My, my. The summary of our lives in one verse. Amid this world’s darkness, the Enemy’s relentless attacks, and the weakness of our flesh, we are continually finding grace from our Father, even in the wilderness. In fact, especially in the wilderness.

Continue Reading

CHOOSING TO BE BLESSED OR CURSED
CHOOSING TO BE BLESSED OR CURSED

November 15, 2024

The great theologian Clint Eastwood said, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” Wise is the man who understands his weakness early and lives a life of dependence upon the Root of David. It will be an everlasting source of life and fruitfulness to and through him.

Continue Reading