Saturday, May 29, 2010

Though None Go With Me

I haven't been here much......I hope I can say it is because God has been talking and I desire to listen.
 It is funny how God will use whatever He wills....when He knows that ears are open. I have had a great longing begin to rise in my heart. A longing to sit and listen and be changed forevermore. 
Sometimes we all know that our eyes can get locked on the trials.....and we forget that the outcome in His hands will be marvelous. And that is where.... in the last few years.......I have often found myself......eyes and emotions locked on what I could see.
I had forgotten the deep gut wrenching prayers said so long ago....but He had not.
Prayers to know Him more. Prayers....asking Him to make sure I would be found faithful till the end.
Little did that pure heart know what it was asking for.
But......He was faithful to answer what was already in His will for me.
And so the trials began.
Each trial designed and allowed by the hand of my loving Father.
Have I been lost at sea? No
Have I been beaten and tossed in jail? No
But the trials I have experienced......like Paul.....have given me a greater understanding of the God I chose to serve. A God who knows just what must arise so that things are revealed in me that have need to go. Things that were soon replaced by a growing trust......a trust that I recognize as very precious gift.
A gift that I believe can not be taken from me by anything this world may throw at me.
I am so glad that He called......and that I answered.
Do I wish that someone would have warned me what would follow?
Yes, but I don't think it wouldn't have stopped me from praying that prayer. Yes, I can be mighty stubborn.   Although, maybe it would not have taken me so long to figure out what was going on had I known. I don't know......I guess when you are lost in the middle of the storm you probably wouldn't have a tendency to remember warnings anyway.......you are just concentrating on what you have to do to keep your head and heart above water. :)
It has been rough.

Recently I finished reading the book by Jerry Jenkins, Though None Go With Me. I didn't realize till I started looking up one of the hymns in the story......that it had been made into a movie that I had already seen. I highly suggest the book over the movie.
In this book there is a young girl who has heard Gods call for her to come. She is a rather serious minded girl.....(yes I could identify with her)......and since she already knew that she did not fit into the world around her.....she obeys and answers that call.
Not long after that she sits down with a pastor and they have a talk about the decision she has made.  And if you don't mind I would like to share a little bit of that with you since it touched my heart.
Pastor Hill nodded, moisture from his forehead collecting in the creases beside his mouth. "Unfathomable love and grace is beyond me and most everyone but young girls." Elisabeth scowled, wondering if he was criticizing her naivete. His sad smile was like his wife's. It was as if he could read her mind. "I pray you will always stay close to Christ, despite any cost. True devotion requires a sacrifice."
 "It hasn't so far," she said, and that made him smile again. 
He gazed at her, and she wondered if the meeting was over. She had more questions now than when the conversation had started. He reached for his Bible. "I need to tell you," he said, "that when you feel drawn closer to God, you must remain open to his call. The nudging in your spirit may be evidence that God wants more from you. And Jesus said that to whom much is given--"
"'Of him shall be much required,'" Elisabeth said. "'And to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.' Luke 12:48." 
"You are remarkable," the pastor said, leafing through his Bible. "Elisabeth, Paul counts all things but loss compared to knowing Christ and knowing the power of Christ's resurrection. The power that raised Jesus from the dead can work in our lives. Think of it! But see what follows. As Shakespeare would say, here's the rub. Read it."
"'...and the fellowship of his sufferings.'"
The pastor appeared to look upon her with pity.
"What does it mean?" she said.
The more of God you want, the more of Christ you'll get. Most are content to stay out of the deep water."
"I can't tell if you're warning me or encouraging me."
"Both, Elisabeth. God does not call us to a closer walk to make our lives easier. Pray about your desire for a closer walk," he said. "I know few with the stomach for the cost. If you are called, you must go. But the rewards are few." 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you have a desire for the deeper water?
Have you heard His call to "Come"?
Then I would like to pray over you
a prayer very similar to the prayer that the pastor prayed over a Elisabeth, at 14.
~~~~~~
Dear God, I plead with you to touch my sweet friend's life. She seeks a closer walk. May she be willing despite a cost you never reveal in advance, so that she does not give up because of the weight of it. God may my sweet sister follow steadfastly the ONE in whom there is no change, neither shadow of turning. Thank you for calling her. Thank you in advance for the incredible things you are going to show her and for the unimaginable glory you are going to bring to your name through her life.
May she be found faithful till the end.
For your names sake.....Amen.

I love you girl! I know the road is not easy. When you get to those moments when you are tempted to say....What in the world did I get myself into?!?
Hold on.......the good things that are coming.....well, they will blow your mind!
Don't grow weary in mind and body and give up just before you reach the summit.
And if you have already been walking this path for awhile.......Ready to go a little deeper or rather a little higher?
Let's continue to move from glory to glory.
Because we know that scripture stands true and if you really want it.....Mat 5:8.
\o/

13 comments:

SunnySusan said...

whoa sister!!! I am in!!!
thanks for the prayer.....love you

pam said...

mind blowing....so hard to imagine this round...this post helps me towards moving out of my pity party

luvmy4sons said...

I read that book! It was a good one. Glory to glory. And all that it means. With God...I am in! Love you sweet sister. funny one of my posts this week was similar about feeling lost. Love you!

Denise said...

Woo Hoo, I am in sis. I love you.

Fitter After 50 said...

When you look at the trials, you lose sight of the purpose and that purpose is to get to know Him at a more intimate level. May the trials never distract you from your purpose.

Terri said...

I think God uses me for comic relief sometimes. He must have a wonderful sense of humor as He created me. I sometimes see Him shaking His head and chuckling over me and my foolishness.
I found out the hard way when you pray for all things to come together for your highest good, u best get ready!!! Things will start happening in a BIG way! Sometimes your life must become a train wreck in order sift through and cling to the things which really matter.
He reminds me, "You asked for this." Then I laugh at myself.

Winging It said...

Oh, boy! I would love to read that book, I will be getting that! Can I? I confess I do not feel adequate, and at the same time I know it's not our "adequacy" but His grace! My mind is overwhelmed, my heart agitated...

love to you!
Maria

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to let you know I hadnt' forgotten you and you've been very much on my mind lately.

Tomorrow girl is good, life has been busy, but good busy- people passing through, family happenings, alsorts but good stuff.

Terri said...

I hear someone passed state boards! So happy and proud for you. Let me know what the next step in this journey will be, or do you know?
Congrats to you!

Connie Barris said...

whoa my friend... I have really missed you... so good to hear from you and what God is doing... it is amazing.... My prayers are with you..

I loved my time with hospice... I did finally step down but it was because all our parents were dying and it just became too personal... but I will never forget those years...but I have learned, there are miracles in the every day if we look...

can wait to hear what you have to say...

blessings,

keep in touch

Holly said...

I miss you and love you and am praying for you, friend!

Winging It said...

I had to come read this again. I need to get the book. love you! Hope all is not just well, but great!

Terri said...

OK< Where are u? Is everything ok? Please let me hear from you.