Day 55
Scripture focus: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NIV
In Kim Engelmann's book Running In Circles, she says, "Think of a hamster running on his wheel. As he cycles, he can focus only on his little world, its props and its comforts. Now think about the potter's wheel. It goes around too, but if you are the clay, lying on your back, where are you looking? Up. And this makes all the difference. This is not just a warm sentimentality or a nice thought for super-spiritual people who have visions of Christ up in the corner of the ceiling. This is for ordinary people who offer themselves as living sacrifices on the altar of God's grace. In AA language, it is called surrendering to a "higher power" and acknowledging that we are powerless over alcohol. Knowing that we cannot do what we need to for ourselves, we focus on the One who can." (p.91)
We are a few days away from the finish line of our study on suffering. But we all know that our personal experiences with suffering stretch before us - lurking. They will pop up at unexpected times and in unpredictable experiences. They will challenge our faith, discombobulate our firmly held convictions, reveal our clay feet, and pummel our self-esteem. Suffering might bring out the coward in us or side-track us or even derail us.
But we can overcome. It won't be the result of renewed self-effort or strong personal determination to "get it right this time." No, my friends, if we are going to experience purposeful suffering - it will be in the hands of a gracious and merciful God.
So here's the deal. We need to learn how to look up. We must become more experienced at listening for the voice of God than we are skilled at our spiritualized forms of denial and manipulation. We must lay aside all roadblocks to productive suffering - including: stubborn resistance, arrogant entitlement, good intentions, disconnected isolation, and justifiable resentment.
We've got to figure out what it means to surrender - an act of courage, not defeat. We must look up when it makes more sense to look around. We must approach the throne of grace with confidence - whether we feel like it or not.
Our props and comforts must be dropped off at the nearest disposal center - they are wobbly and not all that satisfying anyway. I pray that today we'll think about the objects of our hope, our affection, and even our obsession. I ask God to continue to reveal to us the true nature of our insanity (insanity - doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results) and provide the willingness to let it go. I pray that we will be surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses to remind, encourage and exhort us on our walk to freedom. I pray that we will accept the help of those who've trod the path before us. I pray that we will become the Prince and Princess Warriors God had in mind when he knit us together in our mother's womb!
Recommended reading: Leviticus 15 and 16 in the morning; Mark 7 in the evening
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