I have given them your word and the world has hated them,for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (John 17:14-18 NIV)
When the questions come in, it reveals a need to see the bigger picture.
Questions such as why is this happening and why is this happening to me. Questions like what is going on and when is this going to change. Questions like that in a way are a cry for help and a cry for change and also a desperate plea that perhaps the bigger picture will have something better in store for the present.
There is also something about the immediate situation, however, that offers an opportunity to see things as already an integral part of the journey. Perhaps there are occasions where you are being set up to be set apart. Maybe this challenging season is deepening your relationship with God even in the questions and lack of substantial answers. When you know that all you’ve got to hold onto are the truths about who God is and who He is to you, maybe that helps to understand the pain and confusion with others. Maybe it just reminds you that all there is to live is found in Jesus Christ and He never promised pain-free and trouble-free living.
It’s not even about having the answers to the questions. It is about appreciating all the more that to see the change and to persevere at times can call for us to understand what it is to be set apart. What it is to be exactly who God wants to work through in a given situation however broken and messed up things might appear to be. He trusts you to be that person able to go through it, not because of your good looks and your intelligence or your resourcefulness. No, He trusts you because you will have to trust Him to get through it. Humble yourself, be vulnerable, meekly seek His help and receive it with thanksgiving even through the tears.
This challenge of the character will be what makes a distinct difference for those looking on to get another hint as to the change you represent. Following Jesus doesn’t mean you take suffering glibly and throw out cliches to cover. It does mean relying all the more on a holy, loving, righteous and good God to carry us through and in that way reveal more of who He is for others to see and know that the change is going to happen.
Thank you, Father for being good and loving to us, even when we go through challenging times. We thank you for the protection from the evil one and we appreciate all the more the need for that protection when we go through harrowing and challenging circumstances. For others to see the reality of the change we proclaim, please make us as you are, keep us close to you, hold our hands and guide us. Please.
(Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 