I have been doing a bible study for about 5 weeks and it has been one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had. When I realized it was ending next week I was saddened because I have come to rely on a group of women that are helping me discover my faith within myself and teaching me ways to trust in God. I have been able to ask questions that I have never been able to ask before and I have seen so many nods of understanding that I have felt a sense of faithfully belonging that I have never felt before. I have been truly blessed. I felt even more blessed when Rev. Carol suggested continuing our discussions through a blog. I thought it was a wonderful idea and I couldn't wait to discuss this in our session next week. Then something happened...something I have never experienced before and after I texted my good friend about it, I decided tonight was the night to start my first blog that I hope becomes OUR blog. I hope you will join in this journey with me and continue discussions that have led to wonderful revelations and understandings. I hope you will want to join me online as we did in person and maybe we can even extend to others who were unable to do our study with us but were longing to join us.
Our bible study is about being more than just an actual bible study. Our study is about taking what we have watched, learned and discussed and applying it to our everyday lives. While it seems simple enough it is actually very hard to put into practice, especially when the real world begins to take over. We have discussed how we have an "uncontrolled thought life" and as women we have to ANALYZE every little detail over and over and over again. Did I say over and over again? Well, today I fell victim to my uncontrolled thought life and even though I did everything I could do regarding a situation I still kept thinking I had failed somehow because I wasn't the right person to help someone else in need. As I lay in bed, next to my peacefully sleeping son, I sighed deeply and said it was time to hand it over to God. Hand it over to God...not a statement I take lightly and something I have never actually done before. Many of you have mentioned many times that you hand things over to God and you feel a weight lift from you and you feel free. I knew that was what I needed to do. I breathed in and I asked God to take over my thoughts. I told him I knew I had done the right thing and I needed him to take over. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
A little bit later I spoke to my good friend and she told me that she was proud I had handed it over to God but it might take longer than 5 minutes for the weight to be lifted. It seems God is unaware that I am a person of immediacy. I do have a 1 and 4 year old after all, my life is all about the here and now!
About 5 hours later...he answered me. It was amazing because he answered me on Facebook. I didn't know God knew how to use Facebook but then again I should have never doubted in the first place. When I saw my answer my weight was lifted and I was finally able to move on. I knew I had made the right decision and God answered my prayers. My mind flashed to a section of our bible study where the author mentions others may thing she is "over justifying" in faith because she thinks Gods answers are everywhere. Everything she seeks is God. Some say things are happenstance. I usually say things are happenstance. Today was not happenstance.
My question to you: Do you believe things that happen in your life (things that surprise you) are happenstance or are they God working all around you? Also, do you think you can "over justify" through your faith? Remember there are no wrong answers!
I'm really excited about us staying connected with this blog idea. I don't have time to write right now, and am trying to figure out the system. I wrote a note a bit ago and it didn't show up properly. I think I forgot to post! We'll see if I can get up to speed. Thanks, Jennifer!!!
ReplyDeleteAfter giving this question a lot of thought I don't think that happenstance and God needs to be an either/or situation. God doesn't micromanage us. He gives us the ability to control our every day but as Lysa mentions in Chapter 15 because we love God we follow his commands. While I don't feel I live up to that potential everyday I am happy to know it is there.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first recieved my answer I was frustrated and mad and as I read the response to Ross I quickly realized this was the answer I seeked. It was exactly what I needed to hear to let me feel at peace. The response wasn't Godly to say the least and or the way I would think God would answer me but that was the choice of the other person and the happenstance that I would see it. I think because I had asked for God, I was able to see Him. I don't think I would have come to the same conculsion if I hadn't spoken to Him earlier, I am pretty sure I would still be frustrated. I was always confused when everyone talked about handing things over to God and I finally realized today that it isn't an actual handing over of something to go into the heavenly trashcan but rather a way for Me to be open and wanting to receive answers that are all around us. I feel enriched by the surge of light I felt and I am grateful to having people surround me that kept trying to teach me to just hand it over to God.
I like this latest reponse which I think is very thoughtful. I think the eyes of faith enable us to see the hand of God in so many places and I firmly believe that God is always at work to bring light into situations that seem hopeless and dark. I have a hard time globalizing a theology that kind of easily suggests in the face of dismal and terrible suffering that 'we just don't understand it now'. All through the scriptures, God has cried out against oppression and meanness to other people, continually calling God's people to work for justice in places where it hasn't happened. I do believe that God is present working within those situations to bring light and hope and that our eyes of faith allow us to see that or else we would become despondant. "Handing something over to God" doesn't necessarily mean acceptance of what has happened, but maybe more of a realization that we aren't in charge. Always I struggle with those lines of when to try to act and when to wait and see. I bless you for your journey and your thoughtfulness. I think God definitely has that beautiful divine hand on you and I'm so glad to be able to share in your journey.
ReplyDeleteOn a totally other subject...won't we have a Bible Study in January!!!??? I have some ideas. Does anybody else have a thought of something that you'd like to study!?!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to doing a study that focuses on strengthening our faith, especially as women. A study that looks at strong women through time and thier struggles to stay strong and stay with God.
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