He Gives
But God can see us through and bring jubilation.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:2
Sitting around our kitchen table, listening to some ladies from church share their very real prayer needs, this statement came from my mouth:
He (God) gives us all something (burdens/trials) and everybody's watching us and that is all part of God's plan.
One of the ladies said, "I'm writing that down to remember."
Our human nature wants a carefree, smooth sailing life and "world peace."
Wednesday I briefly crossed paths with a woman behind a ticket counter and asked her what I could pray for her. She said, "I'm a praying person too, so let's just both pray for peace." I nodded and as I walked away and thought...happy to do that, but that's only going to happen when Jesus returns.
No where in the Bible are we promised any of pain free or troublesome free living. As uncomfortable as it is for us, God has a plan and a purpose through our suffering.
Jesus knows suffering at an intensity we could ever know, because he carried the sins of the entire world.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3
It makes no sense to us because:
Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. 1 Corinthians 13:12
So, if we call ourselves believers we are set apart as examples for the lost to see. They watch how we navigate life, especially the the uncomfortable part. Our son in law shared he was standing in a very long car rental line. There were 10 people in front of him. He's a very jovial, friendly, outgoing guy. When he finally reached the counter to pick up the mini van he had reserved for his family, the agent said, "How would you like an upgrade to a brand new suburban?" He chuckled and said, "Is your follow up statement, 'For $400 a day?'" She replied, "I was watching you in that line and you were so cheerful, being pleasant to others, not grumbling. How does an addition $12 a day sound?" He replied, "Like you have a deal!"
Yup! People are watching how we navigate life!
Brandon Heath's song Give Me Your Eyes" is a look at the flip side of this situation. What do we see when we look at others. So often we think, everyone has it so much better than we do but if we truthfully take the time to care we will see that "we all have something" and we can share with others that Jesus makes the difference on our journey.
The Song "Give Me Your Eyes" Brandon Heath
