Don’t Look Back #3: Show His Worth to Others

I’ve been sharing in Post 1 and Post 2 how hard I’ve found the call to follow Christ to be at times and yet that I see purpose in this tearing away and even joy in it… God is reminding me that HE is the true treasure my heart seeks and living here is a chance to see Him as that treasure both in how I receive/reject “good” things and embrace hard times. But I also get an opportunity in each to show His worth to others.

Lesson 2:
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him”-Philippians 3:7-9a

Both the good and hard things are not just for my growth, but an opportunity to show His great value to others. God gives everyone good and hard things, not just those that are His. I believe that He does this so that His own can reject good things to pursue Him or embrace hard things to show His great worth. That’s what Paul was saying he wanted- to hate the “good” things and see them for the filthy and temporal things they are and instead RUN towards Jesus and be found in Him, knowing Him more and more! Amen! We can reject these good things like “home”, family, and being known by others and yet have FULL JOY. Why? Because Jesus is the joy and treasure and when we give those others up, it opens us to know Him more and more as we press into Him for those desires. I’m seeing it in this small giving up we’ve had and it’s incredible. He is incredible!

 So here are questions I’m daily asking myself:

Ease: Do I enjoy “good and ease” as much as people without Christ do? Do I see that though they are good gifts, they aren’t THE gift? Am I passing up “good” things and opportunities and showing that Christ is THE treasure?

Suffering: Do I expect hardship/suffering? Do I really see that we ALL deserve them because we aren’t good? Is my response in those times showing as things are taken away that Christ is the treasure of my heart? Does the suffering reveal that as I cling more readily to Him in it? Do I embrace suffering as a way to know Him more and be found in Him?

Oh how God truly is using this time for my good. And it is so very good, even in the pain of it. This tearing away is bringing me daily to Him. And He is so very faithful to bring peace, comfort, and joy here and remind me of the unending JOY with Him for those of us that are His someday on New Earth. God is so very, very good.

“as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”  –Philippians 1:20

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Fallen Idol- one man's sin exposed my own

CJ Mahaney steps down as SGM President... I'm still midprocess, but wanted to share thoughts on what God is teaching me. This week, I read that the President of our family of churches was voluntarily stepping down for a season of discipline and restoration because of sins of pride, sinful judgement, lack of submission to accountability, and even spiritual blackmail. We were assured this has been a year and 1/2 long process and he had already been restored to many he had wounded in his sin, but is stepping down to help healing personally and in Sovereign Grace Ministries as a whole. One (godly) man compiled 600 pages of documents of accusations and emails that he sent to CJ and that were posted online. I read through much of it as I grieved and wondered what this means for the church we've loved these past 6 months and our family. Andy and I prayed. I cried. And then I poured over websites of hurt former members and the official documents. They were written personally to ...
Read more

When Homeschool is all over the home

Image
I was ready to give up. I began thinking maybe I should just expect to eat at a table covered in math manipulatives and maps. Over a period of time and in a variety of ways, God lead us to homeschool our boys years ago. I've come to adore homeschooling my kids (most days), but we've never been able to make a "homeschool room" work for us. We somehow wind up on the living room couch or at the kitchen table. Every day. Learning about atoms and molecules Reviewing Latin Oh how the math manipulatives take over the table.  Are you getting the point that we use this room a lot? I remember reading that God has made everything beautiful in his time and thinking that I LOVE that HE's made beautiful things and places and people. It's a cool reflection of Him. I really enjoy pretty spaces in people's homes. It feels welcoming to me. I'm fine with toys everywhere, but I also love welcoming others to a peaceful, homey space. So I began wondering if...
Read more

Because I Forget...

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.   Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”- Ephesians 5:15-17 I’m starting this blog to hold me accountable to live in a way that glorifies God and to encourage other young women and moms who are daily striving to seek Christ alone and make the most of every opportunity to know Him more and make Him known. In my posts I’ll share ways our family looks for the “gospel reminders” in our daily lives and traditions. I need this because I forget. I wander daily away from the truth that I need Christ and I’m not self-sufficient. I forget how much He loves me and offers forgiveness and grace because of His love for me. This is about my journey to know Him more and how I see the gospel in fresh ways and teach it to my children through traditions and daily life. Truly Christ is the center and central theme of the Bible, in my personal...
Read more