A Map and A Mirror – Part 5
December 30, 2008
Dear Friends,
Our fourth principle on our successful spiritual journey is—We began this series asking you to consider whether Abraham would still be considered "the father of the faithful" had be began his spiritual journey from Ur but instead of continuing on, he stayed with his family in Haran. We are not told a lot about his journey, but we can be fairly confident that this journey was filled with challenges. Abraham didn't jump on an interstate and stop every evening at the Mesopotamia Holiday Inn where he took his meals via room service. He was no doubt walking or riding on animals through a dangerous wilderness where he could fall prey to bandits, wild animals or weather just to name a few of the hazards. I am sure that it was probably tempting for him to tarry in the comfort of Haran for a little while (or even a long while). Yet, Abraham kept on his journey to the Promised Land because he had the faith which compelled him forward. We need to do the same on our own spiritual journeys.
In keeping with this, our last principle is:
5. Be tenacious. Don't let obstacles stop you.
If there is one thing I can almost guarantee you, it is this: As soon as you start to see some success in whatever life goal you are pursuing, you are going to face some unexpected obstacle. Life is going to throw you some sort of curve ball and, if you let it, it will stop you dead in your tracks. Don't let it. Fight back – hard.
I am reminded of the account of the children of Israel as they neared the end of the spiritual journey to the Promised Land. As they spied out the land, they were surprised and dismayed to find the land just as promised, but full of giants and fortified cities. Instead of trusting God and pressing on, they quit. Instead of following their map to their destination, they decided that they would have to settle for somewhere else. We all know what happened from there and it wasn't pretty.
Maybe our ecclesia is slowly dying and our previous preaching efforts haven't brought much fruit. Find a new way to preach. Chart a new course. Question the way you have been doing things. Find a way for God to bless you. Find a way to bear fruit.
Maybe you are addicted to something and have had little success in overcoming it. Don't give up. Victory is just around the corner. Redouble your efforts and try again. God is faithful and has promised not to give us any trial which we are unable to overcome. (see 1 Cor. 10:13)
The idea is sometimes floated among some that God grants an easy time to those He is pleased with and punishes those He is displeased with in trials of various kinds. According to this philosophy, if there was ever a person who deserved smooth pathway in life, it was Jesus. Yet God, in His infinite wisdom, didn't give His son the easy path, but a life full of challenges and obstacles. Jesus needed obstacles in order to grow. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." (Heb. 5:8) We need obstacles in life in order to grow. Quite contrary to the philosophy above, only the true children are promised trials:
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. (Heb. 12:7-8)
If we expect trials, we won't be surprised when they come. If we realize where our strength lies, we won't see them as impossible, show-stopping obstacles, but temporary stops along the way that need to be overcome or endured. If we see God's parental love expressed in trials and therefore as opportunities for improvement, we can continue on our path with a proper attitude.
Perhaps a fitting way to end this series on our spiritual journey is by sharing with you that this marks the tenth anniversary of the Thought for the Week. We began in December 1998 with "Honor the King" during the Clinton impeachment proceedings. It has been quite a journey. The greatest benefit to me (in addition to having to come up with at least one spiritual thought during a seven day period) is all of the thoughts I get back in return from all of you. Thanks for all the support over the last decade and may God be with you on your journey.
Have a great week,
The next post of the Time and Chance survey is on the blog. They can be viewed here.
