"Don't blame suffering in the world on the anger of God. He's not mad; he didn't mess up. Follow our troubles to their headwaters, and you won't find any angry or befuddled God. But you will find a sovereign God.
Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end -- the glory of God."
~Max Lucado, It's Not About Me~
This week has been filled with my own personal problems, struggles and hassles of the minute kind. If I were the narrator of my life story, I would describe myself as irritable and petulant in the midst of microscopic problems.
It's easy for me to think about the big disappointments of life (from the outside looking in) and comment on the need to glorify God through troubles. But, now, from the inside looking out of a teeny tiny problem, I can't practice what I preach.
I've gotten so caught up in the minutia of my problems that I have forgotten about the purpose of it all. Max Lucado's book title says a lot to me right now: It's not about me. It's about Him, isn't it? That changes a person's perspective right around. What is the chief end of man (the old-fashioned way of saying of what's our purpose)?
To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This makes me think of another favorite author, John Piper. His book, Desiring God changed my thinking about the purpose of life and the meaning of my faith. The purpose of my life is not to just endure until the day of Christ's return, nor is it to glorify God dutifully without true joy. God is most glorified when I am most satisfied in Him. I glorify God BY enjoying Him forever.
So, when we get things all mixed up and view God as a harsh disciplinarian, we lose out on the most important thing. He longs for us to truly enjoy Him - that's what glorifies Him the most. Everything in this world all points to God's glory, including the daily ins and outs of our lives. The way we glorify Him is by sitting in His presence, on the good days and the bad ones too. That's our life purpose: to enjoy Him.
I think I need to go spend some concentrated time working on my life purpose! I can't wait!
Comments
JOYFUL, JOYFUL we adore thee...
It's tough, no doubt especially when I like you get tangled up in the minute details...then the joy is zapped...
It's a great message for this time of year...when we need to remind ourselves that we are on the verge of a new year, where we can commit to being more aware of JOY!
hugs Heather...
I'm sensing a message here in my morning!
thanks for being a part of that!
lori
"God is most glorified when I am most satisfied in Him."
I've used that quote many times, and the book John wrote was life~changing for me.
Blessings to you Heather as you stay busy concentrating your time working on your life purpose.
Susan
Blessings
Shelley
Man, you nailed it with that quote Heather!! I love that! Can I steal that and put it on my blog?? (I'll credit you!!)
I think this speaks to me today because I found out this morning that my 13 month old needs eye surgery. Its one of those days that you feel like putting your seat belt on because you don't know exactly what God is up to but know that HE has a plan.
I'm still praying for you girl. The bumpy times in life seem to last forever, don't they?? Keep looking to Him, He's got a plan in all of it!
Happy holidays to you and your family!