Luke 7:19 "Are you the One Who is to come, or shall we look for another?" It's a question that every one of us must answer. John the Baptist had already been calling people to follow the Christ...so why is he asking this question? Repent for the Coming Messiah is at hand. Why would John ask if Jesus was the One as John sat in a dimly lit dungeon cell alone, unable to fulfill his calling, his job. What was John thinking?
Not.Offended.by.God.---not yet...
On special occasions, I receive a letter from my friend Elisabeth Elliot since 1981. I have a large stack of bundled letters dating back over three decades in Elisabeth's beautiful script. Tied with a black velvet ribbon, and tucked away.
There's one letter that still come to my mind often. Even this week. Multiple times I've thought about her words penned back to me on Kilpatrick Street in 1984. I had just lost a baby to miscarriage and I wrote her the overwhelmingly sad news. She wrote back and said Luke 7:22-23, My Dear Bev, The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear in His Presence. And Blessed are you who is not offended by God and what He has chosen.
Not.Offended.by.God.
I wept as a very young mom reading her letter. I weep almost three decades later, remembering the beautiful script from a heart so in love with her LORD Who had allowed both of her husbands to be taken away from her.
Not.offended.by.God.
I had lunch this week with a dear friend who is not offended either. His twenty-something daughter has Stage 4 brain cancer and is living on Someone Else's time. They take each day as a gift and live to love.
How will I know if I am not offended by God?
Two years ago to this very day, a nurse walked in and forceful words came spilling out: You have cancer. It's aggressive. You need to move quickly. We see it on the mammogram from 2 years ago---they missed it. It happens.
ReplyDeleteNo surprise to God. Job wrote in one chapter that he was full of words, then a few chapters later---my hand is over my mouth. No Words. No Words over here. Just in Awe at our very Good God Who has carried me every day to this two-year anniversary. Awestruck!
Bev,
ReplyDeleteI am so blessed from God's mercy in your life. It has been two years now since I became aware of this wonderful person named Bev. Words are not adequate to express the blessing you are and have been to me in my own walk with the LORD. I am amazed at God's Grace in giving you the strength and fortitude to shepard the Pearls going on three years now. As you know I did not think I had time to participate until Jan 2010. My life experiences at that time made me know it was the right time for me to join in. I'm so grateful to God that I did. Thank you Annette G. for keeping the invite out to me.
Yes, it was in Jan 2010 that I learned to thank God for a most difficult circumstance myself and you and the other Pearls have been such a part of my process in knowing God in such an amazing way. Praise God even today for the difficult circumstances for as you say He is always a Good God wherever he takes us.
What an amazing gift to have letters and know Elisabeth Elliott. More important what an amazing Gift to know God in the most unique circumstances over these past few years.
I continue to pray God's healing power in your body and in all areas of your life. Matthew and Mark both espouse that "Nothing is impossible with God."
This is a Song I Must Sing, Sylvia
I amen Sylvia's prayer for you, Bev. You inspire me so and cause me to really unwrap this gift called Faith, to examine my deep beliefs and realign them according to His Word. I wonder as I read John's dark moment of the soul, healing, forgiving, delivering everyone it seemed but John who had stood so faithful. Why not me, Lord? Blessed is he who is not offended by God. I don't think I understood that thought until more of life unfolded for me in suffering. He is never more real, more available, more comforting than in those moments for me. And I know it is not He but I who draws nearer.
ReplyDeleteAnd Sylvia, you bless my life so much here on the Pearls. It's been an amazing journey even now as we walk together on our own customized paths but as sisters in Christ. He has set you apart for this season to minister and heal those places like only He can. You are so very dear to me.
Awestruck myself at His personal goodness to each of us. Even in the middle of significant struggle. He is near to those who seek Him. And you wear Him so beautifully.
Bev, I agree with every single word that Sylvia and Annette wrote....He has used you in my life since Jan of 08 in that have made me dig deep into His word and learn so much more of Him than I might ever have done. Of course, He has brought numerous things into my life that have shown me as I walk through this life with you all, that have shown me a God I never knew.
ReplyDeleteOh, to not be offended by what God has chosen to be in your life. Oh, may I be at that point. I truly have no fear about my heart and it's irregular beat at the moment. I am trusting in His perfect timing that has been in my life that I can look back and see with my physical eyes and eyes of faith. May I NOT be offended IF this does not turn out good. I want to accept whatever He hands me and praise Him. I do see it as an opportunity to praise Him. I pray that I will be able to praise Him if the prognosis comes back and it's not good. Pray for my family.
Looking to Him the One who holds each one of us in His righteous right hand...
To not be offended is to exhibit all the qualities of the fruit of the spirit. It is the message I believe God has given to me to learn and to digest in the past year.
ReplyDeleteGalatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)
By the way, this is a lifetime project for me, because I have offended God and others so many times.
I cannot say it any better than the others have said it, Bev. You and the rest of the women here inspire me and make me want to stay in His Word and let it get into those deep places in my heart that need Him most. I'm better because of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers for me this past week. I'm on my way home!! There's no place like home!!!
xoxo
Ang, you faced your fear and served Him well and you leave this precious family with Him! Oh my! That is so beautiful of you to believe in all of them and help them so!
ReplyDeleteI posted a blog last night on The Fray and it's something I touched on a couple of days ago. All this sempiternal stuff is not going to matter when we see Him face-to-face. Our income is small due to the cancer but His Faithfulness is HUGE to me. He has provided in ways that most people never have. I mean, someone at a high school carnival responded to me in a passing comment---oh, here's a home for you to stay for a bit. Most people don't have empty homes sitting around waiting for a friend. In fact, there were two homes offered! And look at the economy! No panic in God's Economy. No Near Misses with Him! Love you all so much and deeply appreciate your kind words and loving support during this difficult time for us.
ReplyDeleteThankful today for how He has been so kind and caring to me. For those who are offended by Him, what a beautiful relationship they miss out on.
ReplyDeleteHe is my Friend.
He is my Champion.
He is my Compassionate Father.
He is my God.
I have found Him so Faithful.
I'm like Job...my hand is over my mouth in awe in His presence.