As I was looking through some boxes this weekend, (trying to find some old Walk to Emmaus stuff), I came across some photos of my step-mom in her last days battling brain cancer. I found my certificate for being baptized in the river and many other things that reminded me of the past 6 years of my spiritual journey. I looked through some old tablets where I wrote down my thoughts and expressed my fears, feelings and doubts of ever overcoming the situation I was in at the time. It is amazing to look back and see what God has done and to see how He used those trials and adversities to shape, mold, and mature my faith in Him.
God tells us in the book of John that in this world their will be tribulation but to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. How many believers believe that so much that they live it out? I know I have failed to believe it at times. When I have been in the middle of the tribulation I certainly didn't feel or have much "good cheer". But the strain and adversity of this life gives me strength. It deepens my faith. It seems God didn't give me an overcoming faith but He gives me faith as I am overcoming.
A man from our Tuesday night group told a great analogy last week. He said our faith is like a river and our lives produce big stones. These big stones are the trials, the tribulations, and the adversity that are thrown into our river of faith. When our faith runs deep and the big stones are thrown in, it makes a splash but no other signs are noticed. The river quickly returns to normal. When our faith is shallow and the big stones are thrown in, it not only makes a splash but it stirs up and surfaces the mud that is just below the surface. It takes a significant amount of time to overcome and return to normal.
All that being said, I received an email this morning that quotes Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel telling a story that seemed to say it better than any.
The Lakota Sioux consider bravery (wo-oh-hee-tee-keh in their language) to be a central virtue or value. But they understand that, as time goes on, the young brave will be shaped and strengthened by his challenges, tempered through adversity.
The ancient Lakota hunter warriors handcrafted their own bows from seasoned ash wood. There were two ways to acquire the proper wood. The conventional way was to find a young ash tree, harvest it, and let it dry for at least five years. But the hunter warriors were always on the lookout for a mature ash tree that had been struck by lightning. Such a tree had been dried and cured in an instant by the awesome power of lightening, and any bows made from it would be much stronger. Such trees were rare, but they were preferred because they had suffered the ultimate adversity, and ultimate adversity produces ultimate strength.
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And from adversity comes trust in God which results in letting go of control and letting things happen as they may, under His hand and love. Hard lesson but one I value so much! Because it has taught me that no matter what, no matter where, even in the most disheartened state, I am never alone.
Hey Bro,
I don't comment on here often because I get to see you, usually, every week. Thank God for that. Anyway I wanted to support you by giving my thoughts and input. God is great and awesome and that is why we get to see adversity. Let me ask you this, Would you want a dad who let you do whatever you wanted? Sure sounds good but is it. Just think if the first time you got hit by the ball or fell off your bike and skinned a knee your dad let you quit. You would have missed out on some of the more enjoyable experiences life has to offer, well in my mind they are enjoyable. I am thankful that our God loves us so much that he wants us to grow and is willing to put us in the positions that do that. A good man once told me that there was a higher level for us to reach. Not to become proud but to become more of who God wants us to be and less of who we are at that moment. God has great things in store for all who follow closely and we may struggle through the trial but we will always get through the trial. We can pray that at the end or shortly there after God will stir in us the desire to grab the next rung and pull with all His might. We'll see God loves us and shapes us in these times and He is preparing us for a next step in service a greater adventure that only He can carry us through because He shaped us along the way. Love you Bro and I'll see you soon. Hagg
Wow, the comments are better than the post. Thanks Annie & Hagg.
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