Abide in Him

I've been thinking about Mark Driscoll's post, "I count it all joy", on www.theresurgence.com and I found his thoughts to be encouraging.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2–4, ESV

Though I'm not going through the same things as Mr. Driscoll, there are definitely many things happening in my life and the the lives of other people at Faith Church right now that are very difficult. Sometimes it's so hard to see that God is using these times to shape us into what he wants us to be. In this way I can relate to the chorus of Keith Green's song "Make My Life a Prayer to You":

Well, I want to Thank You Now, for being patient with me,
Oh it's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me.
I guess I'll have to trust and just believe what You say...
Oh You're coming again, coming to take me away.

If I can ask anyone who reads this blog, please pray for the Faith Church leaders as they meet and decide many things that will impact the church very soon. Though I cannot go into detail, we have been increasingly burdened with many different tasks in recent times.

I would also encourage others who are going through struggles to count it all as joy. Abide in him friends (John 15:4-5). When I had eye surgery last year, I remember being bed ridden for 3 days because the pain kept me from opening my eyes. When I wanted to go to the bathroom, I had to open my eyes for just a second in order to see where I was going. Then I would take a couple of steps, and open my eyes again to see if I was on the right track. This is much like our spiritual lives. When we place our eyes on ourselves, we forget about God and being satisfied in glorifying Him.

So, open your eyes and adjust your path. Abide in Him. And be satisfied and joyful that he is our Lord and Saviour.