I feel certain I've heard this somewhere before, but as my friend and I were chatting last night, she mentioned this thought to me. And it really made me pause and think. Doesn't it make sense that the Lord would use any circumstance we find ourselves in to mold us into the image of His Son? Isn't that His work? Whether single, married, widowed, bursting at the seams with children, longing for a child, immersed in a career, keeping our homes, or on the mission field... is He not always in the business of making us more holy?
I spent a good portion of the boys' quiet time (Simon takes a nap, Ethan does not) looking up verses about this, and I just love the idea that the Lord is working in me, today, through these seemingly unrelated circumstances of motherhood I find myself in, so that I might be set apart for Him more, that I will desire to do His will more....ultimately, for my profit!
"...that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:27
"being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
"Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness." Hebrews 12:9,10
"who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Titus 2:14
As my friend and I discussed, it all boils down to trusting Him to do His work, trusting Him enough to let go of what we think is best for our lives, trusting that He doesn't want to harm us, that His plans are for our profit. No matter what circumstance you find yourself in today. That's the truth of God's Word, and we can cling to it!
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20.21
5 comments:
That is really encouraging to think about Rachel, thanks.
There is actually a book with that title..."What if Marriage was designed to make us Holy instead of happy"...Good book, I have it, and Jon and I both read it in our first year of marriage (7 years ago!!! WOW)
I truly believe that every circumstance, good or bad in our life is designed to refine our character...just like the potter and the clay, the fire and the diamond. Marriage and Motherhood is a reminder to me to "deny myself and my fleshly desire",yet by putting my children's needs first, and my husbands needs first and modeling Christ behavior as he walked this earth.
Good stuff...
See ya at the reunion!!!
Danielle
yes, I'm excited, Danielle...it will be so fun to see you again! I sent you my check yesterday. :)
Great thoughts, Rach! It's always good to be reminded that the tough times are not designed for our misery, but for our holiness! Let us always strive to be more holy and embrace those moments that will help to strengthen our character.
Reminds me of I Peter 1: 6-8 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith...may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love..."
Really good thoughts Rachel. Thanks for sharing them, that is so good for me to remember.
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