Ponders 19/0514

Why should I be waiting until something 'amazing' happens for me to actually embrace, and do more with my faith?

I'm probably never going to lose my leg, I mean I might later on in life, but for now, it’s firmly attached, with me always, and heck, mighty fine.

That should be what my faith is like too! (Though I hope that I'm 'certainly' never to lose my faith).

I've heard so many amazing testimonies about people who have been changed and bought up in challenges. By the amazing hand of God, they've overcome or are still in struggles that would completely consume them if it was all in their own power. They've come through so many trials to triumphs, and the biggest testimony is the person that they are. The person that, when you move away from the words they are saying, pour out their being in worship and joy; in the midst of all these trials, they are a living and acting testimony because of the conviction they have found in their faith.

Some people get caught up, they think that they need something else to happen in their life before they can fully feel God, or respond, or act on what knowledge they may have already... they feel cheated because of their story, or they don't feel as changed as they 'should'. They always feel there needs to be 'more' before they can fully appreciate God.

Why?

I guess there's always the desire to want to be able to tell an awesome story. To be someone who has actually fought off abdominal snowmen, or joined a secret army.

The truth is, we are in an army, but we haven't had to earn that, or show that outwardly; we haven't had to go through any obvious trial or to have gone from the slumps to get where we are with God. That was done for us on the cross by Jesus. He's the only story we really need to look into.

We are breathing, living, and farting, creatures. That itself should be something. How great that we can actually live, and experience all that life has.

A laugh, a tear, a warm embrace.

I know that I always get caught up, and have seen others do this, wanting more from my story. The thing is, the story is ours and we can't ultimately change it; and if you feel like changing it, please don't go losing your leg on purpose.

Living in comparison to another person that will cause you to stumble. We have our stories the way they are for a purpose, they equip us exactly for what we are called to do. We are always at the beginning of a journey, and those who are not in struggle, will not always be able to understand why our story cannot be like the person who's actually gone through earthly hell. I can also assume, that those going through trial are never going to understand anything properly either.

Everything is revealed and given slowly, because if we knew it all at once, why would we seek to find more, or why would we want to look for more? It would be easier, but how do we grow?

In John 21:20-22 (ESV) Jesus is talking to Peter.

²⁰ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”²¹ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers^[b] that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Directly Peter has asked Jesus about the purpose of another one of his disciples and the response is one that I think still weights a lot for today. “If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you?”
There is a different plan set out for each of us. Each of us will have a different journey, a different story; different experiences.
If there is someone else with a crazier, cooler and amazing story compared to us, then it should be an encouragement, but not something that stops us in our own journey.
“What is it to you?”

Again I need to remind myself that I don’t need something ‘amazing’ to happen in my life, in order for me to praise more, or do more, with the faith that I know and understand. I may get stuck, but I’ve been given such a great chance to just live.

How is that not encouragement enough to do more?

It is truly amazing to have other people willing, strong and vulnerable enough to share openly with their trials, and to be an encouragement. It is also such a blessing that we are all able to relate to one another.

We need to do the best with where we are at, and what we are given.