1 Corinthians 2:9
But as Scripture says: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him."
The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'own', or 'real' life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life - the life God is sending one day by day. ~C. S. Lewis
The life God is sending day by day by day by day.
This is the real, in real time.
This is up-side-the-head-smack reality. Conceived and prepared by a far-seeing and Holy God.
And our self-centered, myopic vision never sees it coming.
But it arrives . . .
How we deal with the uncomfortable present moments, how we navigate the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, how we play our hand of unfortunate cards, speaks volumes about the health of our spiritual journey.
Am I playing these inconvenient cards well, as the Lord would have me do?
Or am I floundering about in an overwhelming sea of doubt, unwilling to submit my will to His?
Through the interruptions, the upset of the apple cart, the intrusion of needs unforeseen, the tough hand dealt, God shines with His unfailing presence. He grants the grace, the strength, the love, the courage, the perseverance to put our best foot forward as we cling to His Word and His promises.
Until my predictable world is upended, I could not see how God has been readying this path for me.
Accepting adversity. Accepting life as it unfolds. Accepting His will for me.
Completely!
And becoming, in such unexpected ways, the me He intends me to be.
So, dear friends, when your life is interrupted, and the direction you had in mind is denied, remember that God has a purpose for you. Only for you.
Your real life is His life in you.
Play the hand you're given confidently, day by day, knowing the Lord has your back.
Amen!
This is a powerful post, dear Martha. I know you've been dealt a difficult hand lately, and I pray that God will give you the strength and grace to keep moving forward with God's peace in your heart. I don't know all that you are going through, but I think I have an idea, having had to be a caregiver for my MIL. Praying for you all...Yes, the Lord definitely always "has your back". He will not fail you!! Love to you today dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pamela, for your kind words of encouragement. Yes, God is giving me all that I need at this difficult time, and for that, I am over-the-moon grateful. As the saying goes, "Life happens when you're making other plans." But He's got my back, for sure!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen. This has hit close to home, this season. So much that impacts us is not our story to tell, is it ...
ReplyDeleteBut meanwhile, we're growing, changing, deepening because of what's happening all around us. Helpless to affect change, we lean hard into Him and leave outcomes in His hands.
There is no better place to be ...
Absolutely, Linda, there's no better place to be than in the arms of God, trusting in our loving Father. He is our 'real' life, isn't He?
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This is SO GOOD! Thank you for this encouragement. Next week our women's Bible study will be doing a study by Priscilla Shirer on navigating a life interrupted by looking at the book of Jonah. In the midst of difficulty and unforeseen trials, I have to remember that God has a plan for my life! Thank you for these powerful words!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting today, Christin, and for your kind words here. That Bible study sounds absolutely awesome! Priscilla Shirer is an amazing teacher, and these are such valuable lessons for us to learn along our Christian journey. Have fun with it!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This is indeed a powerful message, Martha, and interesting to me because my daily devotional this morning spoke similar words. You have been in my prayers and I am glad to see you back here. Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteWow, Terri, what a coincidence, or should we say, God-incidence! Thank you so much for your continued prayers - they mean so much. And yes, I'm so happy to be back.
DeleteLove and blessings!
.....and there you have hit the nail on the head, Martha. Don't worry and whine about the curves life tosses us. Play the cards you have and know that God has your back! Thank you for reminding us that we are protected at all times by our Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nells, for your most reassuring words here. We don't have a choice as to what cards we are played, but we do have a choice in how we choose to play them. Knowing God has my back gives me all the reassurance I need.
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Martha, you managed to convict and encourage me with this one, my friend. Thanks for the reminder that God works in all things, every single day.
ReplyDeleteHe does, Beckie, make no mistake about it. And this post did not come easy for me - let's just say I wanted the Lord to allow me to express my feelings correctly so they would connect with others. He did so, but not without me having to take stock and truly analyze what I had written. So gratified to know that the result was transparent. Continuing to pray!
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wow such wisdom especially knowing what is going on with your life. You are one amazing voice of wisdom!!
ReplyDeleteJean, your kind words so humbled me. I am learning. God is sending the lesson. He is wisdom. Enough said, dear friend.
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He is indeed faithful, isn't He? Appreciate you sharing this with us. Hope your mil is doing better.
ReplyDeleteYes, our God never gives up on us, Karen, and what a relief that is! MIL is taking it day by day, as are we. But you know what? We are blessed to be able to cling to the commandment to honor mother and father. Nothing better!
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My moniker is Live the Adventure. (I used it before I saw Eddie Bauer used it). You have encouraged me to do just that. To live. Thanks Martha.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I was able to encourage you, Bill. We are, indeed, living the adventure around these parts!
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It's not easy when our plans in life get interrupted, Martha. I'm glad God is showing you that His Presence is always with you and this is all a part of His plan to grow you into the "me He created me (you) to be." Thank you for encouraging us that He "grants the grace, the strength, the love, the courage, the perseverance to put our best foot forward as we cling to His Word and His promises." Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteAs I told Bill above, it means so very much to me when my words give encouragement to others. That's when I feel I'm serving God to His glory.
DeleteLove and blessings!
When things go suddenly wrong in our lives, very wtong, we tend to panic and lose our focus on God. This is natural. We are made this way. God knows it because He made us.
ReplyDeleteLet us look at the disciples. They had been with Christ for a while, they had heard Him preach and teach, they had witnessed His many miracles; and yet ... when He was asleep in the boat and the storm came they panicked too. Like I often do whenever things go wrong, often, in my life. I hope He forgives me for that.
It is no point having faith in a Master who walks on water if we do not trust Him enough to follow Him.
God bless.
You bring up such a salient point here, Victor, in comparing our reactions to those of the disciples. Even though they could physically see, hear, touch the Lord, they still lost hope and their bearings, when something upsetting came along. I guess it is human nature to react in such a way, at least initially. May we, the moment we feel our panic rising, turn to God and focus on Him.
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Martha, thank you for sharing this post. Back in 2007-2008 when my mom was so ill and eventually passed away, things seemed to spin crazily out of control. Yes, God was clearly at work during that time--using some of His people to come along side to help, support, and encourage.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, Kim, God is definitely there with us in the crazy times, though often we can see His presence only in hindsight. Leaning mightily on Him these days!
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Hi Martha! I know that you are playing your 'inconvenience card' well. You are such a loving, faithful person. You are absolutely in my prayers, as is your family. God bless you with strength and peace, and knowing that so many are praying for you too.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ceil
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouraging words here, Ceil! Yes, I can feel the prayers of so many, and they are so helpful and calming. Most appreciative of all this freely given love.
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Oh my gosh, two wonderful quotes to start the post. I hear you, Martha. Life has thrown me some curve balls in the last few months, two BIG ones in the last week. Day by day is sometimes moment by moment. I wonder if life is ever convenient??!!
ReplyDeleteYou know what, Galen? I'm beginning to think that life is never convenient, but we're expected to take those curve balls and run with them the best we can. Praying for your latest situations, my friend!
DeleteLove and blessings!