Archive for November, 2009

In England during World War II, enemy planes roared overhead seeking easy prey. Light coming through windows was, literally, a dead giveaway … The Enemy looks for light, wanting to attack that light with darkness. As people living in the light, we are targets of darkness.    (Come Closer, Jane Rubietta, p. 153)

A lot of people are told that if they accept Christ their life will be great. Prosperous. Problems solved. I’ve found that it’s not so.

For me it’s been much more complicated. Before, life was simpler. I did what I wanted to and didn’t have to answer to anyone. Didn’t have to deal with my sin. Didn’t have to make things right. In fact right was whatever I wanted it to be.

And not only that, but now I have an Enemy. Someone who wants me to fail. Wants me to give up and think Jesus isn’t enough.

And I’ve watched as my pastors have been attacked. Attacked for trying to show the love of Christ. For trying to do right and shine His light in a dark place.

I need to keep reminding myself – what do I expect?  A light shining can’t be ignored. A light shining is hated by the Enemy  – and it’s a target. It always has been.

That doesn’t mean that the light should stop. In fact the light needs to shine all the more.  It’s truth against lies. It’s hope against despair. It’s life against death. And it will show the way out for some.

A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns. They only shine.  (D.L. Moody)

We all deal with trials of one kind or another. Illness. Job loss. Even outright attacks. Whatever it is, it’s hard. And, if it goes on for a long time, you can get tired. You can get discouraged. You can wonder if God will help.

I’d like to share a story with you:

In 1895 Andrew Murray was in England suffering from a terribly painful back, the result of an injury incurred years before. One morning while eating breakfast in his room, his hostess told him of a woman downstairs who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any advice for her. He handed her a paper he had been writing on and said, “Give her this advice I am writing down for myself. It may be that she’ll find it helpful.”??This is what he wrote:

“In time of trouble, say,
‘First he brought me here. If it is by his will I am in this strait place, in that place I will rest.”
Next, say, “He will keep me here in his love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as his child.’
Then, say, ‘He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons he intends me to learn, and working in me the grace he means to bestow.’
And last, say, ‘I am here by God’s appointment, in his keeping, under his training, for his time.’”

(Quoted in Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow, p. 171)

Lord bless you and keep you!