by Michael Horton until Elizabeth announced her online book discussion. The book's title, and Elizabeth's first post, stirred something within me.I need this.
These past months - all 17 of them since R learned he would be losing his job - have been a time of weakness. I cannot say suffering. Not in light of what so many others are enduring in Japan and Alabama, in hospitals and on the mission field.
The red tape of school funding. The hurt of leaving a life we had grown so comfortable in. The weight of homework and this new life. Concerns about money. Church issues. An illness that's lasted far too long and interrupted life more than I would like. They are merely inconveniences.
So why do I have a hard time remembering that?
Michael Horton's words bring to mind the first days of leaving the old life, of knowing that God was giving us a precious gift.
Our weaknesses really are an opportunity for God to show his strength....without the trials, faith is not really roused to grab hold of the God of promise. (p. 17)I look back on this journey I would not have chosen, with deep gratitude that God chose it for me.
For giving me an opportunity to grab hold of Him with both hands.
For reminding me how much I need Him.
Others are discussing Chapter 1 at Elizabeth's today.
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! The sentences that you quoted also stood out to me. Oh that we would joyfully embrace whatever means God uses to cause us to grab hold of Him!
May God bless your reading! :)
Hadn't heard of this book but it sounds AWESOME and I would love to get my hands on a copy!!
Hi Melissa,
Glad to know that you're finding the book to be a comfort and an encouragement.
As much as the trials and stretchings "weaken" us, I don't think God will leave us alone during these tumultuous times. He's working His mighty strength in us, breaking us of our own.
I, too, loved the MH quote:
"Our weaknesses really are an opportunity for God to show his strength....without the trials, faith is not really roused to grab hold of the God of promise. (p. 17)
God bless,
-E
Melissa,
I have a hard time remembering too that my trials are merely inconveniences. Your closing sentence wraps it up so well: “giving me an opportunity to grab hold of Him with both hands.” Amen.
I'm glad to be doing this study together. I have much to learn from you...
I am really enjoying this book. I could relate to the story of his dying father having watched my own mother fade to a wisp of a woman. I miss her and her wise counsel. I liked the quote in Michael's book, "While we rank suffering when standing outside of it, it is all pretty relative when we are part of it." My heart goes out to the "inconveniences" or "trials" that you and your family are going through. He is "the God who sees" what each one of us walk through. Thank you for joining in the discussion. So glad to be sharing this with you.
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