Yesterday we read: Do not be moved in your afflictions. For this, you are destined. Amazing that the world does not value this word. If you are afflicted, you are to be pitied in this world. Poor Bev, she has cancer. Could it have been my destiny? I Thes 3:3
I love this chapter. "God has called us to holiness." So, what do I do about what stirs within that is not holy? Surrender. Depend. Disregard purity and you disregard God. I Thes 3:8
One of my life verses ~ I Thes 4:11 ~ "Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs---be dependent on no one---not on your husband, not on your children, not on your friends. C.S. Lewis wrote: The need to be needed is one of the hardest to overcome. Be dependent on no one.
Why? The Son of God will descend from the heavens in the sound of a trumpet of God. He is coming back for us to spend Eternity with Him---those who want Him. Meanwhile, aspire to live a quiet life of grace and dependence as we know what stirs within us.
Through different circumstances, the Lord has shown me and is still showing me that I can truly not depend on anyone BUT Him. In the middle of the night, when your fears will seem/be the biggest, the ONLY One who can hold you and make everything right is the LORD. Your husband can hold you but he does not have the power to make the fears subside and for you to have His peace that passes all understanding. This does not mean that I do not need my husband, but just that I have an inkling of what it means to be dependent on Him and no other human being. It truly is one of the hardest things to not have the need to be needed. i truly don't know IF that can ever go away
ReplyDeleteDepending on no one is a tricky thing. It is one of the hardest disciplines, and, some, out of a hardened heart will say they need no one when it may be more that they've felt rejected. I think true dependence on God comes with the freedom to know we are vulnerable and needy and we can only be truly satisfied in His perfect love abiding in and keeping our hearts company.
ReplyDeleteThe freedom from fear, like Mary Lou said, doesn't happen with people coming to your rescue. Not that we don't love, but they can't help. There is wisdom in yours and Bev's words, and you two ladies give light and perspective to this. Thanks for grappling with the real stuff here. It can turn my day around
I love how He constantly gives us reasons to need only Him. His love endures forever.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for being here. You constantly point me to Him and I'm very grateful.
Have a good night.
Love,