In Ways You Never DreamedWritten by Joyce C. Lock
When we're not right with ourselves, we're not right with world, and we're not right with our God. It happens to best of us, brings out worst in us, and affects rest of us. No one can help us until we're ready to help ourselves. Often, least thing has become insurmountable. If we knew how to make it right, surely, most would. Since beginning of time, people have prayed prayers (for help and guidance) that appear to go unheard. God has a better plan than taking us around a problem. It is to our advantage, working a far greater glory, when He takes us through it. Bloom where you are planted. Do what you know to do. Take step provided. Then, He'll show you next step and next. One day, you'll look back to discover God was growing a most beautiful flower for His garden and that flower was you; sure, steady, faithful, and strong. Don't think it strange when God chooses you for a time of growth, I Pe. 4:17. He wants to love you in ways you've never dreamed. In all things we are more than conquerors, when we go through it with Him that loved us, (par.) Ro. 8:37.
| | LonelinessWritten by Joyce C. Lock
Loneliness is everywhere around us, sometimes within us, and is often responded to with, "If you want a friend, make yourself friendly" (taken from Pr. 18:24). We gulp, give it a try, and conclude it does not work. Scripture always works when properly applied. Perhaps we are friendly for what we can get out of it (Ja. 4:3), or we take meaning too lightly. Jesus is our best model of what a friend could and should be. In all ways He has loved us, we are to love each other (Jn. 15:12). There is not much room for loneliness when our vessel is filled with love. All it takes is enough compassion to be difference (Jude 22) and, in so doing, we can not out give God (Lu. 6:38). In staying course, we may also find desires of our heart (Ps. 37:3-4) and to have both found and become a friend like Jesus. The most beautiful part being that we would have become a best friend to Jesus, caring more about desires of His heart than ours. And when we walk with Him, we are and are being made complete. Not forgetting we are also human, why not give others a break and love them anyway? Then, when they don't receive, just shake dust off your feet and try again another day. But better yet, seek those in need. It could just be that desire of their heart is same as yours ~ to have a friend like Jesus.
|