One of the things that Cecil Bean and I talked about as we were down in Savannah GA visiting them was how a 'true-er' understanding of the Sovereignty of God is crucial in helping us continuing to grow and advance in our pursuit of Christ.
One of the major things that cuts down many of us as Christians is bitterness. In our particular ministry and the style of how we do ministry- we are attempting to do things as Christ did in 'picking' our 12 and our core 3 and even our 1 and focusing on them and training them. So.... what happens when I am not one of the 1 picked?? Or even one of the 3.... or even one of the 12 or 70 for that matter? As I see it- we have 2 choices. We can get angry and bitter.... Either at God or at the particular person who did not 'pick' us. But, if we believe that God is in control of everything- meaning that He is SOVEREIGN and that He is orchestrating everything- then I can't get angry with people- ultimately I MUST get angry with God. It doesn't make any sense to... but the 'correct' place to direct my anger and frustration is toward God- not toward people- because God is 'using' people to do a work in my life and to refine me as well. And the 'me not getting picked' experience may be an issue of refinement that God is insisting that I need to go through so that the pride in my heart and mind can begin to melt away. David has a great picture of understanding this...
2 Sam 16:9-10 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head." But the king said, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'"
As David and his entourage are fleeing the kingdom because of Absalom coming to possibly kill them all- Shimei comes out to curse David and pelt them with stones. David's right hand man, Abishai tells David- let me go over there and take care of this 'dead dog'.... But David says- He may be doing it because God is making him do it- so how can I get mad at the guy- when it may be God's doing?
So the question we need to be asking ourselves is.... "God, what are you trying to teach me through this incident with this person?" Rather than simply playing the highschool game of 'that person just doesn't like me that's why they are doing this or that'. It would make things alot easier on us to go with the latter- but God is expecting and demanding more of us- He is demanding maturity and we cannot mature if we continue to play highschool and excuse ourselves from allowing God to point out issues in our lives that need refining.
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Hey Joe I really enjoyed the post the reason being is right now the adult Sunday school class that I teach An Audience of One is studying a book by Gene Edwards called a Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness. And the main question that he asks of you the reader how do you respond when spears are thrown at you. And your blog is a confirmation on what we have been studying and I truly enjoyed it. Even those who are "picked" like David will go through a season when they are broken and that brokenness will be the refining fire that God uses to entrust His heart to Acts 13:22. It is a good and quick read but very potent. Thanks for sharing Joe look forward toward seeing you guys, soon.
ReplyDeleteWhether ot not I am a miracle child should not influence how I am living my life. I think that God will reveal to eventually if we are part of the remnant, but until He does all I can do is the human part and that is to continually try with what it is I am doing.
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