After a year of waiting here is what I think I know: It is that thing that taunts us to fear/complain/give up... that also challenges us to change. For so long I've wanted to worship the wrong Jesus. I want the Safe and Easy Jesus that keeps my world pain free and everyone around me healthy. But as long as I hold to that false idol I'm unable to grasp the real Jesus.
With each new trial God gently peels back my fingers to show that the control I thought I grasped was just empty air inside my fist. When I fix my gaze on Him my hand does not stay empty for long. His promises to be near fill them as I grasp the One who really is in control. The One who doesn't promise a worry free life, but promises to hold my hand through it all.
I wonder if is this why Jesus said we are blessed when we are "poor in Spirit"? (umm, that doesn't sound blessed to me). Maybe what He meant in part is that when we realize we are all indeed poor in Spirit then we finally let go of the empty air and open our hands to Him. "…for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 5:3)
I like the Message paraphrase because it leaves little room for my ego, "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule."
On paper and in public that is what I want with each passing year. I want more of God and less of me. Yet I sincerely wish I could get there without the trials. Looking back on a lot of waiting, surrendering, praying and trusting I know that without the trials I would never welcome the change. My fist would still be closed and possibly shaking His direction. And it would be empty.
I think He is using the hard to unfold my fingers, not to be mean, but to fill them with Himself, the only One Who really satisfies.
No matter what you are waiting for today friend, I pray you know the One Who is there to hold your hand through it all.
That's where my thinking stands today…but I'll keep you posted. ;)
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