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Happy New Year everybody!!! Sorry it’s been so long since an update. I promise it’s not because there’s nothing going on, but actually quite the opposite. We had a little break with the holidays but will be jumping into performances with the women’s basketball team in just a few days. They have given us the opportunity to play as a part of their opening ceremony for each home game. It’s gonna be exciting…
I’ve started realizing that it’s only through the *stuff* we go through (I say *stuff* because I have some other words that could describe the *stuff* I’ve seen some kids go through, but I’ll censor for now) that we even we begin to understand reliance upon God. Being around some of these guys and seeing their resilience to whatever life throws at them has been incredible and a source of great inspiration as I go through some difficult times in my own life. It’s one thing to preach the gospel to other people and then quite another to apply the very principles you’ve been teaching…and decidedly difficult. But this should be encouraging for us as we minister the gospel…if we know it so well and it’s hard for us to move from theory to practicality then how much more so for those we’re ministering to. Have patience my friends, patience.
So I sit here trying to rejoice in the sufferings…James 1 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Perseverance must finish its work…huh, so I guess we should invite trials and sufferings because that’s how God develops his character in us. How unworldly…How dangerous. That’s what I’m talking about. None of this sissy *stuff*. Skeptics say faith is just a crutch for those who can’t deal. Faith isn’t a crutch, it’s accepting the mission to stop being so selfish and do the will of God.
I’ve also learned something else lately. If you’re so angry you just feel heavy, stop and consider this from Psalm 32…”Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered…When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’ - and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” BE HUMBLE!!!
Alright I guess I’ll step down from this box for a moment, thanks for listening to my rant. Here I am waiting…no expecting God to show up even in the midst of *stuff*.
