It’s a little strange how God works in the lives of his children. Like allowing suffering to bring about glory..
Moses was called to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt and through the desert. He went before Pharaoh with demands that were routinely rejected, yet he still went. And leading his people through the desert–It took decades (it was their own fault it took that long, to be sure), yet Moses somehow maintained the conviction, patience and perseverance it took to endure it. I would have quit after the first week. Seriously, God? 40 years in the desert? Imagine how the people felt about following Moses. I don’t think I could handle that pressure. Yet Moses handled the pressure and miracles happened every day. Would miracles have been demonstrated had he not approached Pharaoh? What about daily food in the desert for 40 years?
I also think about Paul and Silas praising the Lord and singing songs in prison after a serious beating. That would have required a miracle. Could you praise the Lord and sing songs about him after being beaten and thrown into jail unjustly? These guys were missing serious marbles! Or were they? Would the other prisoners and the jailers have known the glory of the Lord had Paul and Silas not been unjustly persecuted? Doubtful.
I can only imagine what the parents of Moses and Paul thought of their kids during their time. To do such outrageous, sacrificial or even masochistic acts for a God they could not see requires one to be insane in the eyes of those who love you, does it not? Taking an honest look through the eyes of parents or friends at what these biblical heroes did without the benefit of hindsight… might lead you to believe they were nuts.
But if they never did anything over-the-top out-there, you would never have heard about them, would you? I think God rewards the faithfully insane.
So we’re banking on the reality that God intervenes in the lives of his kids today and not just centuries ago. Watch and see what happens. It’ll be good.
And… we’re actually now enjoying it in a Paul & Silas kinda way! Totally getting that bizarre state of blessedness these days. God is good. And this life is truly rewarding. Even if we don’t have one brain in our poor ole head.
I’m quite sure you have a brain, but you are using it the way it was meant to be used, not the way the world tells us to use it. God gave us a brain and it glorifies Him when we use it they way He intended.
For example, you used your brain to write this post, which immediately brought a smile to my face when I saw the title. Using our brain God’s way glorifies Him, but might make us look stupid in the eyes of the world. I know, I use my brain everyday to earn a living. But, I try not to let in get in the way of faith.
It’s like walking a tight rope to use my brain and still have faith…but it’s so much fun!
Miss y’all. Love y’all. Praying a lot more now that Kaz and that Chick are on my phone’s lock screen
Good to hear from you again Scott! Leslie and I were just talking about you guys the other day and wondering how you were doing. You are in our prayers.