I don’t like to wait when I don’t feel I have to. And right now I’m waiting.
And I don’t like to share the things I’m going through until they’re all figured out. And right now I don’t have it all figured out.
I want to save the world but I must have been out of the room when they passed out the spandex outfits and capes. So, instead of leaping tall buildings in a single bound I’m stuck in the hallway of life. The hallway is different than the valley. (I’m an illustrated thinker, please go with me for the moment…) In short, the valley can be described as those dark and lonely and trying times in ones life. Alas, there is hope: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
But it’s the hallway where I’m stuck just waiting. It’s not a “fun” spot either so picture with me if you will…you’re a big chuck of beef. You’re the lucky one and made it all the way to that little old lady’s crock pot. Your purpose in this brief life is to feed a dozen people for a holiday feast. You’re proud, you’re ready…you’re waiting. Still? What seems like hours have pasted by and you’re just sitting. It’s hot and the carrots and onions that are covering you start to get on your nerves. You’re sweating and cramped. Is it really worth it? You feel ready. It’s your call, right? You’re the beef. Slowly you reach up with all your might and slide the top off the crock pot. You look around for that old lady. “I’m done!” You shout again, “Get me out of here! Let’s eat!” With concern in her voice she knows you need more time to cook but she listens to your pleading. Long story short – you’re served to the family too early they get food poisoning and die. You all loose.
“Know ye not that…ye are not your own?”
1 Corinthians 6:19
We are not sanctified for ourselves, we are called into the fellowship of the Gospel, and things happen which have nothing to do with us, God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way; if you do not, instead of being of the slightest use to God in His Redemptive work in the world, you will be a hinderance and a clog.
The first thing God does with us is to get us based on rugged Reality until we do not care what becomes of us individually as long as He gets His way for the purpose of His Redemption. Why shouldn’t we go through heartbreaks? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us fall and collapse at the first grip of pain; we sit down on the threshold of God’s purpose and die away of self-pity, and all so-called Christian sympathy will aid us to our death bed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, and says – “Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.” If through a broken heart God can brings His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart.
Thanks Oswald. I’ll try to stay cooking a while longer.
