Increase My Faith...

"If we desire our faith to be strengthened,

we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried,

and therefore, through trial, be strengthened."

 

George Mueller

 

 

My thoughts were running along the same lines as this quote this week

as I was faced with a situation that required my choosing

 to see beyond the unanswered why's

surrounding it.

 

I was put into a situation where I had

 to choose to lay aside

personal hurt and broken dreams for

the sake of showing Jesus to those who

seem very blind and decidedly

 closed to the real Truth

or to remain aloof and withdrawn
because in my flesh I just
had no desire to go into
that situation,

and possibly miss an opportunity

to show JESUS to someone.

 

I thought about how my heart has longed for

miracles in this situation

and that this

circumstance just well may be a

test of my faith

to see whether I am willing to

walk by faith and not

by sight,

whether I will choose to lay my own 'life'

down for the sake of extending

love and kindness

to others.

 

I am blessed to serve a God

 who has provided

a better way than the way of self

to live this life.

 

Being hands and feet for Jesus

requires me to give up all of

the 'me' that I am before

He came into my life.

 

It requires me to reach beyond

what personal needs and even

godly desires I have

for the sake of blessing those

who are not fulfilling their

God-designed place

in our lives.

 

It is possible, I think,

to grieve what breaks God's heart,

while at the same time reaching

palms stretched open to the

One who knows

the end from the beginning,

and choosing to lay down

what is not that should be.

By the power of our

precious Savior

this is possible.

 

May He receive all honor and glory.

And with the disciples, I say,

"Lord, increase my faith,"

all the while I honestly admit

that "the spirit indeed is

willing, but the flesh

is weak."

 

He is the Power.

I am the vessel.

He gives the Life.

I give Him my heart.

 

Amen.

 

Be Still, My Soul