Let The Learning Begin!

I found myself thinking that I needed to place a post today that was light and fluffy.
Why?
Because yesterday was a little on the serious side and I am feeling a little on the serious side. Kind of like the pendulum swing--serious one day/silly the next.
But the purpose of my blog is not to entertain. It's purpose is---to be able to share my mind wanderings. And then, if someone wants to jump in and add a little---bring on the, "reasoning together".
In the past being able to reason with people is where I have learned the most.
Someone once called me a "provoker". At first I was a little miffed at this label until they explained what they meant. The idea is that I like to throw something into the picture that makes you stop and really take a second look at what you always thought you knew. And then if you will go there---take time to rethink what you are thinking and the actions those thoughts are causing. Sometimes that can be aggravating and some people just don't want to go there.

But, it is the way I grow. God says something to me that is different from what I have always thought and I am thrown off balance. I jump up and say, but God, you know that is not the case. And He says, Oh, are you sure? And then I cry and jump and say, O.K., then tell me what is true. And then----- silence.
At this point in time when this happens, it does not surprise me. But, it used to drive me crazy.
Now I know it is learning time. Time to pull out what I think I know about something and begin to look at it from every possible position. Sometimes I discover that it was not what I thought it was. Sometimes I find that now what I thought something meant has changed slightly because I have grown in Christ. And at other times I have been blown away by new depth of understanding about something I thought I understood.

What a teacher He is. He knows what He placed in me--and if I let Him He will pull it out. Sometimes that process is times consuming and painful. But when I have learned the lesson---
I can then say, "How Great Thou Art".

So at this time in my life--I'm in one of those teaching phases.
I am looking forward to an incredible new understanding. An understanding of what, you ask.
I'm not sure. But, I can promises you this, It is going to be above and beyond what I could ever think or imagine. How could it be anything else coming straight from the hand of God?

And if you feel like reading some more Here is the little tidbit by Elisabeth Elliot that started these thoughts today.

Detours

When Pharaoh let the people go, "God did not guide them by the road towards the Philistines, though that way was the shortest.... God made them go round by way of the wilderness towards the Red Sea" (Ex 13: 17, 18 NEB).

The direct route would save time as well as wear and tear on the people, but God had something infinitely more important than economics in mind--He wanted the people to be able to sing the song of praise of chapter 15--"The Lord is my refuge and my defence...my deliverer. He is my God and I will glorify Him; He is my father's God and I will exalt Him" (Ex 15:2 NEB). They sang this song because they had firsthand experience of God's power and deliverance. Pursued by all the chariots and horses, cavalry and infantry of Egypt, they had passed through the Red Sea in safety and seen the enemy drowned. They would have missed this glorious lesson if they had taken the short road.

When we are puzzled by delays and detours, let us think about the great purpose of life: to glorify God. The lessons He wants to teach us "in the wilderness" are priceless means of providing us with a song we could not otherwise have sung: "In Thy constant love Thou hast led the people!" (Ex 15:13).