God's Purpose or Mine?

God's timing is always perfect, although we may not realize that until after the fact.  My previous post was about the emotional turmoil I've experienced lately.  Today's entry in My Utmost for His Highest was perfect timing for me - it even used the same word.  It's a great reminder that life isn't about the end result, it's about the process.  God is always working to shape us and mold us to be more like Christ....the ups and downs in life are part of that process.

"We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.

God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious."

Christian Lessons from the Olympics?

Tonight over a billion people watched the three-hour opening ceremonies to the 2012 Olympics.  As I sat there watching the lighting of the final torch it struck me that were were in essence worshiping the role of sports and athletics in our society.  I'm certainly not meaning to discount the hard work and dedication of each of the athletes involved in this long standing tradition.  I just can't help but wonder when the last time was that so much time, money, and effort was put into a worship ceremony for our God.  When was the last time that over a billion people came together to worship and honor all that God does for us?  All that Jesus did for us?  I'm hopeful there were hundreds, maybe thousands of people standing in that Olympic stadium thanking God for their success.  Oh that we lived in a world where celebrating our faith was a unifying experience, like celebrating athletic performance, rather than one filled with division, anger, and pure hatred.

Is there a lesson we can learn from the way sports brings people together?  From the ways athletics seems to bridge geographic and demographic differences?  Or, is this just a sign of the times that we're living in?

Peace that transcends

This morning during my prayer time I asked God these questions: Where has my peace gone to?  Why am I constantly on a roller coaster of emotions? What is the turmoil I'm constantly feeling in my heart? How do I cultivate peace in my heart again? How do I find it?

I believe this is what He laid on my heart:

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)

These verses tell us to do four things:
1) Rejoice
2) Let our gentleness be evident
3) Don't be anxious
4) Pray and submit our requests to God with thanksgiving.

Then, the scripture says, the peace of God will protect our hearts and our minds.

Rejoice:  to be glad; take delight in; to feel or express great joy and happiness .  The commentary in my Bible says: "Our inner attitudes don't have to reflect our outward circumstances."  So, even though I may be surrounded by turmoil, I can CHOSE to rejoice.  And, if I follow the scripture, I am commanded to rejoice. Always.  Whew.  That takes a lot of effort and energy - especially when I look around with my human eyes and find little to rejoice about.  But, as a follower of Christ desiring to receive the richness that He offers, I must make that choice.

Gentleness: deliberate, voluntary kindness; peaceful; not severe, rough, or violent.

And when I need a reminder that God loves me and desires only good for me, the scripture says:
"And we  know that in all things God worlds for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

My Bible commentary says "God is not working to make us happy, nut to fulfill his purpose."  Ultimately, my greatest desire is for God to fulfill His purpose in my life.  While I may not always be in a state of happiness, I can rest assured in knowing that God is in control of my life and using all things, good and bad, to fulfill that purpose.   My God's love is undeniable, this I know, this I can rely on, in this I find peace.