It’s been a sort of a rough month just figuring out life as I should be living it right now, and I read this devotion in Streams in the Desert, which I am receiving daily in my inbox. This just really spoke to me, exactly where I am right now. I hope it encourages you as it has me.
He Refines Them
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal. 6:14).
They were living to themselves; self with its hopes, and promises and dreams, still had hold of them; but the Lord began to fulfill their prayers. They had asked for contrition, and had surrendered for it to be given them at any cost, and He sent them sorrow; they had asked for purity, and He sent them thrilling anguish; they had asked to be meek, and He had broken their hearts; they had asked to be dead to the world, and He slew all their living hopes; they had asked to be made like unto Him, and He placed them in the furnace, sitting by “as a refiner and purifier of silver,” until they should reflect His image; they had asked to lay hold of His cross, and when He had reached it to them it lacerated their hands.
They had asked they knew not what, nor how, but He had taken them at their word, and granted them all their petitions. They were hardly willing to follow Him so far, or to draw so nigh to Him. They had upon them an awe and fear, as Jacob at Bethel, or Eliphaz in the night visions, or as the apostles when they thought that they had seen a spirit, and knew not that it was Jesus. They could almost pray Him to depart from them, or to hide His awfulness. They found it easier to obey than to suffer, to do than to give up, to bear the cross than to hang upon it. But they cannot go back, for they have come too near the unseen cross, and its virtues have pierced too deeply within them. He is fulfilling to them His promise, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).
But now at last their turn has come. Before, they had only heard of the mystery, but now they feel it. He has fastened on them His look of love, as He did on Mary and Peter, and they can but choose to follow. Little by little, from time to time, by flitting gleams, the mystery of His cross shines out upon them. They behold Him lifted up, they gaze on the glory which rays from the wounds of His holy passion; and as they gaze they advance, and are changed into His likeness, and His name shines out through them, for He dwells in them. They live alone with Him above, in unspeakable fellowship; willing to lack what others own (and what they might have had), and to be unlike all, so that they are only like Him. Such, are they in all ages, “who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.”
Had they chosen for themselves, or their friends chosen for them, they would have chosen otherwise. They would have been brighter here, but less glorious in His Kingdom. They would have had Lot’s portion, not Abraham’s. If they had halted anywhere–if God had taken off His hand and let them stray back–what would they not have lost? What forfeits in the resurrection? But He stayed them up, even against themselves. Many a time their foot had well nigh slipped; but He in mercy held them up. Now, even in this life, they know that all He did was done well. It was good to suffer here, that they might reign hereafter; to bear the cross below, for they shall wear the crown above; and that not their will but His was done on them and in them. –Anonymous.
“So what do you do?” The dreaded question. It used to be so easy- I could just tell people the name and mission of my organization, and all the awesome things I was doing that made me sound really important and exceptional. These days, not so much. It’s tough to say what I “do” in one sentence. Sometimes I wish that question could be banned from casual conversation. In a perfect world, people at parties would ask each other, “where are you on your journey?” instead. I know that sounds a bit cheesy, but it would give us all an opportunity to learn much more about each other as an introduction.
I want to be a morning person, I really do. To me, there is something inexplicably wonderful about getting up early with the sun, experiencing the quiet of the morning, and checking five things off of the to-do list before 9am.
A few weeks back, when Matt and I were visiting a church south of town, I “heard” the Lord say something to me during the service. Now keep in mind, I am Pentecostal, but it isn’t often that this happens. But I recognize it when it does. It’s not audible per se- it is just there, like a thought is being impressed into my mind so strongly that I cannot ignore it. What I heard was:
During my trip I was able to see many of the major cities out west, as well as a few in the Midwest, and it got me thinking about my hometown and some improvements/additions that I would love to see take place. Nashville is a wonderful place to live, and I understand that every city has it’s unique offerings and strengths, but I couldn’t help to imagine Nashville with a few new exciting perks. I have only lived in Nashville for three years, so if you see a recommendation that actually already exists, please let me know! I might just be unaware.
It was awesome to see everyone and have a sort of “homecoming” after our long trip. What a great way to end our adventure! P.S. I must give a shout out to my parents, who kept our puppy for the ENTIRE time we were gone! Newman was well taken care of while we cavorted around the nation. We were so happy to see him again, and I’m sure my parents were happy to give him back!
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