Thursday, July 25, 2013

Caution: God At Work

Hey Friend,

I am in awe of my son.  At the ripe old age of twenty, he knows it all.  There is no knowledge that my fifty two years of living can impart to this young man who has all life's answers.  If only I had been so wise at his age?!  But, wait...isn't this the same young man that not too many years ago explained to the police officers (in my presence) that the reason he and his friends were sitting on the roof of the school was because there was a ladder leading up there?  Enough said.

Oh to have all the answers!  I remember when I was young, thinking that there would be a point in time when I could finally say, "I've arrived."  I would have a perfect faith and life would no longer be a great mystery to me.  Not to burst anyone's bubble, but at fifty two, I have not arrived.  I have learned, though, that it is impossible for me to "arrive" this side of Heaven.  I will still be growing until the day that I die.  True growth involves trials, change and challenges.  God is ultimately most concerned about my character.  Sure, he wants me to experience pleasure and happiness (just look at the creation He's given us), but growth of character is His goal.

Who is in charge of building our character?  Philippians 1:6, 9-10 answers that question:

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus...And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ...

In short, we are "under construction" and God is at work in us.  Whew, and I thought I had to do it all by myself.  Unlike me, God finishes what He starts.  A running joke in my family is the cross stitch Christmas stocking I started for Nicole when she was born.  She will soon be twenty five and the stocking sits unfinished somewhere in the attic.  If I am blessed with grandchildren, there may still be hope?! 

Jesus is the author and perfector of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2)  Jesus initiates my salvation, continues perfecting my faith and will eventually bring it to consummation.  It is a work that He does in me.  My job is to abide in Him and be willing to let Him work miraculously through me.  I don't know about you, but that gives me great comfort knowing that I don't have to muster all this faith up on my own.

Christian love is not just a warm and fuzzy sentiment; it is rooted in knowledge and understanding.

God is faithful to meet me where I am each day and then he renews my mind and grows me in depth and knowledge of His word (Bible).

And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.] (Ephesians 4:23)

Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

Though I resist change, God is constantly growing and changing us.  He keeps us from getting burned out.  Every day is a new focus.  How boring it would be if we "arrived" and then just hit cruise control. 

If we will allow Him, God, through His son working in us, will take us to unfathomable heights and depths.  Caution: it may involve change, challenge and even suffering at times, but God promises that our eternal glory in Heaven will far outweigh our suffering here on earth.

So if you haven't "arrived" yet, if you are still growing and learning; take heart, God loves you and has you right where He wants you!

Love,

Bev









18 comments:

  1. I just received your comment on my one post and you brought a huge smile to my face! Thank you so much for all your love girl! I've had no time to write again and I'm still feeling the emotions from a beautiful weekend. What beautiful words to leave with. I'm so grateful He is "constantly growing and changing us." I can't wait to see how He grows and changes me in Guatemala. I was thinking of you this morning and how I really will miss you this next week and a half but I will be so excited to share with you when I return. You are a dear, dear friend Bev. Thank you for always inspiring and encouraging me through your words. Thank you for how you always point me to God. I love you! (((hugs)))

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    1. Beth,
      I know you are in Guatemala...so please know you are in my prayers and I know you will come back a changed person. God is surely at work in your life - can't wait to hear all about your mission trip! Love you girl! ((hugs)) Bev

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  2. I'm coming over from Out of the Blue so it's nice to meet you! "True growth involves trials, change and challenges." Isn't this so the truth but such a hard thing to accept at times. Keep growing! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Becky,
      Thanks for popping by from Out of the Blue. Nice to meet a "cyber sister"! You are welcome here anytime...Blessings, Bev

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  3. Thank you for writing for Out of the Blue today. Oh, to be young and know it all! I'm not young anymore, pretty much in the middle, and I feel like I know less and less!So no, I haven't arrived. I don't think I ever will on Earth. I will strive to continue growing and learning. Thank you for the encouragement!
    Blessings!

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    1. Elizabeth,
      The older I get the more I realize how much I don't know! We'll keep on growing and learning together. Thanks for stopping by! Always, Bev

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  4. Ah, yes.....to "know it all" at their age! ; )
    So glad to know that God isn't finished with ME yet!

    Love you, Bev!

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    1. Lisa,
      He's certainly not finished with me!!! Thank you my loyal reader...love you big time! Bev XO

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  5. "Unlike me, God finishes what He starts." Profound, Bev. And so true.

    Thank you!!

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    1. Kristen,
      So glad God is NOT like me! Relieved I'm not the only one who doesn't finish what I start lol. I'm working on that! Thanks for stopping by...love you friend, Bev

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  6. Dear Beth
    On the brighter side; I think we have truly arrived when we get to the place where we know that without our Lord Jesus, we have absolutely nothing together! Then we can hand over the reigns of our lives to Him and start to grow! I also knew just about everything when I was your son's age and not to worry; my 21 and 23 year old sons also are much cleverer than their mum! I am 50 .
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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    1. Dear Mia,
      Interesting perspective - hadn't thought of it that way. I guess I've arrived at knowing that I have nothing together!! Thanks for stopping by and sharing...
      Blessings and hugs back to you,
      Bev

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  7. I enjoyed this post as I have a 20 year old son also. Striving to be more like Christ with each new day is always my goal. Knowing that this world is not my home, and I won't fully arrive until I end up before Him in His beautiful presence.

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    1. Since you have a 20 year old son, you know just where I'm coming from! Thanks for the reminder that we won't arrive until we are TRULY home! What a glorious day that will be!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  8. "Christian love is not just a warm and fuzzy sentiment; it is rooted in knowledge and understanding."

    And I pray that I can understand this greater and greater everyday. I am so glad He is patient with us.
    I love the story of your son. With a few tweens and only one teen, I know I am on my way to lots of interesting conversations!

    Blessings on your Tuesday!

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    1. Angie,
      Amen that God is soooo patient with us!! And yes, your fun is just beginning. Even though it is challenging, I am encouraged that my daughter, now 24, actually asks for advice so they come full circle to believing, once again, that you actually know something! Prayers and blessings coming to you,
      Bev

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