This will cost…

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ~ James 1:2-3

Last night, I had the opportunity to hear from two remarkable women who are seeking to bring more awareness and ministry to those with disabilities in the Portland area. Their heart for bringing hope and Christ to the marginalized and outcast spoke to my very core. Both women find joy in hardship because they know God has them-that in those moments we grow.

I remember driving a friend home from Mt. Shasta after he dislocated his shoulder. He thanked God for the pain because it offered him a chance to go through something that would bring glory to God. At first, I could not understand why anyone would thank God for trouble, pain, or loss, but God has since shown me only He knows what will come of hardship but it will be for His glory and your growth.

Have you heard “Thy Will Be Done,” by Hillary Scott and Scott Family? Scott wrote this song about the moment she lost a child. She bares her pain. She writes “I don’t want to think that I may never understand that my broken heart is part of your plan.” I know many of us are hurting and questioning God. I know it is hard to see great joy when the pain is so immense, the fear so overwhelming, that it is just easier to stay in bed. I know it is hard to see beyond the doctor’s latest news, to not have your voice heard, or to be misunderstood. Please know God hears you. He is there with you. It may not feel like it–I understand that. Just looking at social media, especially today, can drag your spirit down. But please don’t let it. Don’t let your heart drink in the anger, frustration, posturing, fear, and misconceptions. This is a time to grow.

Growth can come from endurance–even when you feel like you have hit a wall–because His grace will carry you past the finish line. Admitting I don’t know what the finish line looks like, at least what He knows it will look like, is at times annoying and I often find myself asking Him, “Really?” But I know He is moving right now. There is a need for people to seek out those who don’t feel heard, accepted, or loved. There is a need for people to seek justice for those who are drowned out by politicians, TV personalities, and misleading stories. We need to reach out to those who are seeking awareness for something we might not understand and ask them how can we help–step out of our comfort zones to learn about something we may not understand fully. We need to do this even when we are facing pain in our own lives–in order to serve others there must be a sacrifice on our part and that is never going to be a small sacrifice. It costs and it should. Testing hones us. Testing makes us dependent on Him. Testing makes us reach for joy when surround by the mire and muck because we are driven to find Him. I know there is a long road ahead. A lot of people are afraid, angry, hurt, dying, hiding, and feel as if they can’t make anything change. We can do this together, but we can’t do this without Him. I want to encourage you to listen to Hillary Scott’s song because when we feel helpless, when we feel joy, we need to remember it is not our will be done but His will be done.

Father, I know you have us. And I know you know there are so many people hurting, sick, and dying. I ask that you continue to move, Lord. Move us where you want us to go. When we speak, please let it be your voice, your truth, your promise, and your unconditional love and not our voice. I don’t want my agenda, my way of seeing something to hinder your heart for your creation. The only way things change is if peoples’ hearts change; and presuppositions are tested and if need be shredded so that your way, not ours, your eyes, not ours, be the way we see your creations. I don’t understand how you are going to heal some of these deep divides, but I know you can. You are God. You are our Father. Thy will be done. Help us remember this. Help those who don’t understand this at this moment to know you love them more than they can ever imagine. You don’t like to see us in pain. Help us to seek out not what we want to do but what you want us to do. Help us find the great joy you have for us. Amen.

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