09/03/2022
Sometimes Jesus gives us tasks in life, and we struggle mightily to accomplish them, but do we really understand what our efforts are meant to teach us? We might think that it is about feeding hungry people, but then come to realize that it is more about loving them, or, He might ask us to row a boat across a lake against a strong wind when the real purpose of the effort is to show us who He is when we see Him walking by us on the water. We each need to look at what we are struggling to accomplish in our faith, and find the true lesson within it.
“And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,”
Mark 6:48 ESV
When we see the miracle of the fishes and loaves do we only see the satisfied hunger? When we see Jesus walking on the water do we think He is an apparition, and not realize that He is calming our fears, or that He stills the water for us? When we are rowing against the wind, or searching for enough fish and loaves to feed the masses, let’s pause and ask the Lord what it is in this task, that He has asked us to accomplish, that we are really being asked to learn. After all, He could simply touch our hand and we could walk with Him on the water, or He could easily feed every hungry man, woman, and child instantly with the same manna, and quail, that the Israelites dined on in the desert. So what is the lesson He is teaching us about Himself, God, and living righteously? We think we know, and yet we do not; we think we see, and yet we are blind.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
The fact that God has mysterious designs for our lives is not a new thought, and one of my favorite poems regarding this was written by William Cowper in his 1773 poem titled Light Shining out of Darkness, that most of us recognize best when it was put to music as a hymn in 1774. Listen to the poem’s first four verses…
Light Shining out of Darkness
By William Cowper
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill;
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.
Cowper wrote this after being inspired by the words of Jesus as written in the book of John…
“Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.””
John 13:7 ESV
What is it in our life that we perceive our calling to be? What hardships a09/03/2022 - The Heart of God’s Will beneath the Skin we see
Prayer:
Father, thank you for all you ask us to do, for every stressful calling, and every challenging hardship that we believe we understand, but that breaks over us as an unforeseen blessing. Help us to open our eyes to the mysterious ways and purposes in all you ask us to pursue, and lead us always into the deeper purposes that you have designed for us. The obvious nature of our every effort is but a skin, and the human weakness of our flesh, over the heart of your will within. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, who leads us to your mighty purposes through often subtle ways. Praised be your name for the divine healing of our souls, and the amazing instruction we undergo through the most mundane and simple tasks you ask of us. Merciful are you when at last the pain is gone, and the hardships become bearable again; in this way we see the light within our every trial, and your glory shining through. Wash us in the blood of your Son Jesus, and purify us Father. Let all that we have done and endured in life be clothed in the shroud of Christ, and our judgement be deemed righteous and worthy in Him. Call us your children, and your friends as you seat us before you for all eternity.
Rich Forbes