“You need to take initiative to find where you are weak, broken, or immature.” (p 339, How People Grow)
In doing my homework for my Biblical Counseling class this week, I came across this truth. I am no longer afraid of growing. I know that growth requires hard work, sometimes much harder than I anticipate. I also know that sometimes growing hurts like no other. It leads through the valley of the shadow of death. Sometimes it would be so much easier to just sit back and let life happen, or to escape in any of the varied ways one can escape.
I have seen so many people I care about ignore this principle. They think that God will just come in and make things all better. I know that sometimes, it does take a miracle from God. I also know that sometimes, we have to be the miracle ourselves. We have to work for our own healing. We don't earn our salvation, but we work for our sanctification, with God. God calls us to activity, not passivity. How many times have you sat in church and not heard? How many times has a friend spoken, and you haven't listened. How many times has God brought you the answers you seek, yet you have not heard because your heart was hard? I know that I have done all of those things. God talks to me in so many different ways. Am I open to his words? Are you? Will you be passive, letting life happen to you, and then bemoan the fact that God does nothing while you are in pain? Or will you boldly partner with God and actively seek your healing. Will you put aside bitterness and unforgiveness? Will you put aside the whole fairness equation? Will you put aside your own agenda and give yourself to what God has planned for your life. I know the road is scary. But I am willing to trust God with this journey. Are you?
I will seek God, stay in the word, listen, and apply what I am learning. I will stay open to God’s prompting and the ways he brings new areas for growth to light. I will be used for his purpose and his glory. I do say to God, Your will, not mine. Will you join me?
1 comment:
God has given you a gift. Not only the obvious gift of expression in writing, but the gift of awareness of the changes in your life and how those changes are touching the lives of others. Your growth is a blessing to see. My heart leaps for joy as each layer of burden is removed from your shoulders and your smile becomes a reflection of the freedom you feel inside. You Go Girl!!
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