My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.James 1:2-4
Brother Lawrence’s greatest testimony may not be in his words but in his actions. When he found himself crippled for life and in acute, constant pain, he did not retreat from service, but rather recognized his circumstances as an opportunity for God to be glorified.
This is so foreign to our current “victim” culture. We are bombarded with commercials that tell us if we have suffered anything in life, we may have a right to monetary compensation. We have lost touch with the concept that God is glorified in our weakness. Our faith in God has incredible potential to make life complete.
Don’t be mistaken. It wasn’t easy for Brother Lawrence to cook and to serve with constant pain in his back. There is no reason to believe the pain went away. But by practicing the presence of God, this man was able to focus on the Great Positive and deal with the nominal negative.
Can we get to the point that the appearance of a trial is cause for joy bringing with it knowledge that God is prepared to perfect and complete us through it. My knee has been bothering me for three months now. It is not an issue of constant pain. It is most disturbing at night when I’m trying to go to sleep. If I am busy during the day, I hardly notice it. This must be something like Brother Lawrence discovered. If God is in the room visiting with you, wouldn’t you pay attention to him. Wouldn’t everything else fade into the background: distractions, pains, discomforts? If we can learn to recognize the constant presence of God, nothing else will matter.
Let God reveal Himself and be blessed. Lemons are but one ingredient in lemonade.
Nick
Let God reveal Himself and be blessed. Lemons are but one ingredient in lemonade.
Nick
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