The process. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’d like to skip it. A miraculous rescue by the Lord suits me just fine. If He is our Savior after all, then how come the rescue is taking so long, and why would He allow this thing to happen anyway, right?
The Father uses the process of life, with all of its highs and lows, to love us more than we love ourselves. Most times the method of liberation isn’t a quick fix. He strategically loves us with an everlasting love to transform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. His tailor made salvation is unique to each of us. There’s no scrap pile, so nothing goes to waste.
Instead of separating out what the enemy intended for our harm, He uses it all. He’s the consummate Recycler. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Circumstances shake us to the very core and essence of our being. Difficulties press in on every side, but by His mercy and grace, we are not consumed. Look around and take note of how much stronger you are in surviving more than you ever imagined.
What’s so astounding about this Love is His willingness to wait for you to love Him back. Since it’s not about us, He often, unbeknownst to us, includes others in this transformative process. He even permits us to voice aloud our blame regarding the slowness of His handiwork as trials perform their “perfect work” in us and those connected to us. Today, we understand “perfect” to mean “without flaw,” which might cause some confusion since we can come to Him just as we are. So let me explain. He wants us to come into His Presence just as we are so that we can grow up – mature – moving from a basic foundational understanding of Who He is to something greater – His church.
The basics are things like our faith and belief in Him. The salvation He provides, by the way, extends so much further than His death on the cross and saving us from the pit of hell. Your bestest BFF cannot even compare to Him neither can any of the other idols which you may have placed before Him. And what exactly is the church? In a nutshell, it’s YOU.
So can we plan to meet back here next Tuesday to discuss the Architect’s latest plans? Although the demo work might cause you to cringe, that lobby’s going to be spacious and spectacular. Oh, and the curtains. There’s not a spot or wrinkle to be found. Grab a towel and dust that right over there. When it’s all said and done, you’re going to look beautiful!
Stand up and bless the Lord your God Forever and ever! (Nehemiah 9:5)
It’s In There
1 John 4:19; Luke 22:42; Jeremiah 31:2-4; Psalm 27:1-3; Nehemiah 9:16-17; James 1:3-5; Habakkuk 2:1; 1 Peter 3:3-4; Psalm 18:16-19; Ephesians 5:25-27;Psalm 103:13-14
