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By Posted on Posted in growth, suffering No Comments

Ever feel like it’s just one thing after another?

This morning I was feeling sorry for myself, and the Lord reminded me that what I am going through is NOT just about the moment. It’s more about my future. It’s transforming me now, and preparing me for later.

Now and later.

The circumstances He’s allowing, the inner stirring that forces us to deal with wounds and junk in our hearts, the conflicts of life, the disappointments… it’s all for good reason.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

You’ve probably heard this verse a million times. I looked up some of the words today. Did you know that the word “all” means everything individually, as well as collectively? Interesting. Sometimes we don’t know the value of something alone… but when God combines it with other things, collectively, He performs a wonderfully detailed work in our lives.

The phrase “work together” translates as the word “synergeo” in Greek. As you might have guessed, it’s the root of our word “synergy”. It means to partner in labor and to put forth power together. The circumstances and hardships of our lives work together with the blessings and God-provisions in order to transform us. The Holy Spirit puts forth power in all things to draw us closer to Him and to make us more like Jesus.

Romans 8:28 promises that all these things will work together for good. It’s the same word that James uses here:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

As well as the same word that Jesus uses here:

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!  Matthew 25:21

He wants to give us good, and call us good. This is His goal. Whatever you face today… it’s for now and later. Chew on it, savor the sweetness (or bitter-sweetness) and rejoice!

By Posted on Posted in growth, pruning, trusting Him No Comments

The Lord prompted me to go out to our rose garden this morning, so I grabbed the pruning shears and a bucket on my way. As I snipped off the dead blooms, He spoke to me about the pruning that He does in my life.

Pruning is necessary. Shriveled blooms must be removed to make room for new blossoms. Wayward branches must be trimmed back to keep the rose bush where it belongs. Diseased portions must be trimmed off to keep the plant healthy.

God has many reasons for pruning things out of my life.  He may see a relationship, job, ministry, locale, or habit as unhealthy, diseased, or beyond fruitfulness.

Pruning is painful.  As I trimmed off old blooms that were clearly dead, the green flesh of each stem was visible. The branches were still full of life! There was no “snap” heard when I cut off the dead flower because the stem was still tender. I was instantly reminded of times in my life when God’s pruning felt like a wound in the tender places of my heart.

God may trim something that seems perfectly healthy or fruitful. It may be very painful to let go. There may be serious grieving involved! In His wisdom, the Lord may remove something for no apparent reason than to make room for something else. We must trust His hands as the Master Gardener and let Him do the work.

I’m being pruned as we speak! I keep trying to talk the Lord into keeping this particular branch. I see life in it! This morning, He agreed with me that there was still some value in it. However, there is far more value in letting it go to make room for something new.

Bittersweet. The pain of letting go combined with the joy and anticipation of God’s faithful work in my life. He is worthy of my trust, so I will let go….

By Posted on Posted in grace, growth No Comments

Many christians would say that an important goal or mark of growth in their lives is becoming like Jesus. The Bible encourages us to cast off sin, to be loving, to forgive, to “walk as Jesus walked.” (1 John 2:6)

He has extended revolutionary love and grace to us.

“…when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”  Titus 3:4-7

It doesn’t take much for us to understand that we need to be like Jesus and extend love and grace to others. However, we completely miss the boat when it comes to extending grace to ourselves.

I’m not talking about making excuses or justifying our selfish behavior.  It’s time to stop listening to the lies running through our heads. I’m a failure. I’m worthless. I’m not as skinny as so-and-so. Why can’t I get it together? If people knew the real me, they’d be shocked. Lies.

It’s time to start forgiving ourselves the moment that God forgives us. It’s time to start giving ourselves the opportunity to make mistakes.

If you want to be like Jesus, then give yourself grace. Right now. Today, tomorrow, and every day. Give grace to yourself because God always does.