Every
time I sit to write some thought provoking or at least semi-intelligent
blog, I realize that I have no ideas that haven't been already
expressed, no joys not previously celebrated, no griefs that are new,
no trials that would surprise, no counsel unspoken. While that may leave
me at a loss for words it also brings a strange since of comfort.
I
am hopefully nearing the end of my bout with the influenza virus and am
finally feeling somewhat human again. This too has been an experience
though most unpleasant and filled with moments of being downright
painful is not new, and is in light of eternity, very temporary. There
are so many things in this life that can be filed in this category: not
new, not original, and temporary.
As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, "There is nothing new under the sun."
As
I have contemplated these thoughts they have reminded me of biology.
(That is just the way my mind works!) For those who wish to have a
muscular body, there is a process that must happen. For muscles to be
"built" they must be torn down first. Not just once but many times. Over
and over. Tearing down then building up. What is odd about this process
is that with with each tearing there is a new level of strength, of
endurance that is built. In order to become a physically strong person,
one must be willing to go through the long process of being torn down
again and again.
It
is no surprise to find then to become a person of Christlike character a
similar process needs to occur. I would guess that in most cases the
end result would demand an even longer and more stringent process of
tearing down and building up. The tendency of humans, certainly myself,
is that with a temporary dose of the process the only thing that gets
built is pride. Pride building up is a toxin that given time and freedom
destroys its host. However, with trouble, sickness, heartache,
loneliness, being misunderstood and other pain, we find that through the
"tear down- build up" process our hearts, our souls, can become large.
We can learn that there is Someone who has gone before us. One who has
known every pain, every heartache, has known loneliness in a way we
could never imagine. He, being God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, is in
charge of our hearts, if we have given ourselves to Him. He is in charge
of our hearts, minds, emotions, our very souls. So with every
"tear-down" that He allows to enter our lives, there is a process in
action to build us up. A beautiful building of strength and love and
compassion that is enlarging our hearts for each other and for those who
suffer and are in need. For those lonely and in pain. And with every
enlarged heart there is a death-blow dealt to pride because we know that
we would never ask for these lessons. They are a gift from the One who
sees and knows everything. He knows that while we may see our
circumstances as trials, He knows they have been allowed as "strength
training."
My
encounter with the flu has not been a great trial but it has led me to
remember that while I have nothing original going on in my life, God
Himself has very unique thoughts and plans for me. And those plans
include things that will tear down, build up, strengthen, grow, and
enlarge my heart. I will not invite hard things into my life, but I am
praying that I will not run from the things that will serve to help me
know Christ more intimately.
"But
that's not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps
us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope
that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has
given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love." (Romans
5:3-5 CEV)
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