August 31st, 2005
I have the lovely benefit of working at an office which closes for summer. I have been enjoying a summer off since June, but today I am back to my normal 9-5 days at the office. I’m actually looking forward to the change in casual and lazy days to ones of routine and structure. Dont’ get me wrong, I love having summer! I like to call it my weeks full of Saturdays. But there is something that I also like about a schedule. I notice that on a schedule I tend to be more disciplined with my diet and exercise and I even sleep better. I may not have endless hours at my disposal and am instead spending my time doing office work, but I’m sure that’s why we have to learn “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
I’m continuing to read through Paul David Tripp’s War of Words and today another section hit me with it’s simple profundity as Tripp addressed the reality that God is sovereignly ruling over our lives to complete the work of salvation that He begun in us.
“There is probably no more important perspective on our everyday life than this: God is at work in every situation to conform us to the image of His Son. When we complain about the problems and pressures in our lives, we are essentially grumbling in the face of God. We are complaining that we have been chosen by His love and grace, and that He is putting us in situations designed to make us His holy people!”
This statement clarified much of my misunderstanding of trials and sanctification. I know that God is not working towards my personal happiness, comfortable lifestyle or self-esteem. I pray constantly that He will be my happiness, life and identity. But reading this made me see the oxymoron that it is to pray for a life of growth, and then complain of the trials and struggles I must face. These are the means by which He grows us! We shouldn’t pray to be strong, growing and godly people and then resist the fire that He puts us through, rather we should embrace it. With this perspective it is not difficult for me to see that God has not forgotten me at all, but instead my circumstances proclaim His presence and that He is using all of these means to conform me to His likeness.
So with this new season of life–most of us have gone back to school or work, experience trying relationships, discouraging circumstances, pressures and temptations–these are the signs to us that God is working and answering my prayers. These things are not the mundane day-to-day. They are not burdens. They are small opportunities granted to us all throughout the day to choose the glory of God above all else.
“And we know that all things work together for good
to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.
For whom He foreknew,
He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
Romans 8:28-29
September 2nd, 2005
“instead my circumstances proclaim His presence and that He is using all of these means to conform me to His likeness”
Thank you for the encouragement, Christa! We are moving exactly two weeks from today, after only finding everything official on Tuesday. I know God is with us…and I am ever grateful His timing is the blink of an eye. Otherwise, I’d feel like we were drowning in logistics!