Made For This -- "Mystery"

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8

This has been a powerful week of study for me. I hope you are all feeling the blessing of being guided and encouraged by the Lord. At times, I’ve felt like I’m making the idea of calling way too big and definitely too difficult. The past two days of study have reminded me that God is likely opening doors for me to do the things that I really enjoy doing. I mean, He did give me the desires to begin with. Sometimes, we just need to thank Him for His gifts and get to work where we are.

Today, read all the way through our section in Made for This (pages 196 through 203). Be thoughtful and reflective as you wrap up this week.

Then, I hope you’ll take time to watch this interview. I posted it on my personal page yesterday. I feel led to make it the weekend assignment here.

First of all, the theology of suffering expressed in the last half of this message is so spot on. The things this couple shared of lessons about God in the midst of their suffering is exactly what I’ve experienced in my own story and difficulty. Because we aren’t usually open to suffering, we get things all kind of messed up in our churches and Christianity today. I love the way this couple demonstrates who God is to them.

Secondly, the details of the story being shared includes all that we’ve been talking about. Gifts/talents, people, suffering, and places all work together, and the result is God’s story of redemption is told and retold. Many lives are affected, and lives are changed. When we allow our lives to tell God’s story, WE are blessed. Generally, others are too.

So, enjoy this at some point this weekend. I can’t wait to join you again on Monday.

Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you for living out the mystery and then inviting us to carry on what You started. Most of this earthly life is a mystery. Much of who I am in You is a mystery. I may not work out all of the details until I get to heaven. But, when my prayer focus shifts to knowing You more even when I can’t see the certainty of Your plans, goodness prevails. Make it so today. Give us eternal perspective! Give us more and more of YOU.