James 1:2-8:
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.Jean Stockdale sent me the verse I have posted above in response to a recent post. With all the waiting going on around here, I have thrown my share of
tantrums. I can admit that, and it's not because I am proud of them, but because it is the truth. Here I am in the midst of my tantruming, whining to someone about wanting the house to sell yesterday, and our Pastor has the
audacity boldness to preach a
sermon about suffering, about
submitting to suffering even. What? Well now, how about a little spiritual spanking to get the week started? As I sat there listening, I could only think, "and so, yet again, I am not handling this situation well. There are others who suffer much more heinous circumstances, but this is, at this time, a form of suffering for me. We are "on hold" with moving, and I have not been doing well with this." Hmmm. One day, I might grow up in my faith...I hope.
Only the day before, my eyes fell upon an exquisite post by my girl
Kate, on being
Summoned by the Great King. In her post, she says she and some friends were discussing the question, “Does Jesus move you? Does His life grip your heart?” Wow. The following morning she received a text that read:
"How is your faith? Do you believe this is a day of overcoming, abounding, Spirit-filled radical, enormous victory??? Read Psalms 142-145. Behold, the Great King desires to give you an audience. Enter in!!!"
And I have been left to ask myself, really ask, "Do I believe that God is who He says? Do I believe He will do what He says He will?" When everyone around me is saying right now is not the right to be selling a house, when I am hearing stories of months, 12 or more, going by with a house still on the market, do I believe? Do I believe God is clearing the path to answer the cry of our hearts? Is He truly leading us to a place surrounded by family? When no one is around, and it is just me and God, what do I believe?
I read through Psalms 142-145, and had to smile at
Psalm 143:7-8 says it best:
"Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."
King David says it well, and speaks it perfectly. A blog, a comment, and a sermon, yes, I believe I
am listening. Time to put faith into action, a new week, a new attitude, a new perspective. I believe it is time, as Jean suggested, to pray scripture, to use scriptures in my prayers, to press in to my Father. It is time to grow up, and trust that even now, God is in our midst. Although, I pray the morning brings word not only of God's unfailing love, but also of a buyer for our house.
And, I do recall that my prayer, all along, has been for God to show himself off.