March
10, 2004
Reading
“My brethren, count it all joy when you
fall into various trials” (2)
cont’d from last week
The opening statement under the heading, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” said, “At first glance these words appear to be an oxymoron.” No dah! At this point my attitude required some adjustment—as I continued to read the chapter headings of the curriculum I saw where “Attitude Adjustment” was handled in the next chapter. Following chapters addressed such things as “Recognize Your Real Enemy,” “Stand Firm—Don’t Run Away,” “A House Divided Cannot Stand,” and “Love One Another.” I skipped to the final chapter heading (I’m one of those folk who can’t help but read the last page of a novel half way through the first chapter), and saw it was titled, “To God Be The Glory.” I knew I didn’t need a PhD in education to realize it was a long trek between my current attitude and God being glorified.
O.K. I decided to take the course with the hope it would stop my head from spinning. I was soon told that I had no choice because the course was mandatory. Oh well, so much for decisions. The first obstacle was sorting out this oxymoron—How can I be joyful when everything is going wrong? As I sat there scratching my head, the Instructor, who always seemed to know what I was thinking, said, “Your initial concept is incorrect, nothing is going wrong.” I immediately wondered if this course had any value because I knew something was wrong. He went on to tell me that God is Sovereign and that all things work together for good to those who love God; to those who are the called according to His purpose. OK, that’s another scripture, isn’t it? He told me I was free to ask questions (which I did frequently), but all He did was quote scripture to me. He didn’t actually quote scripture to me—they just came into my mind. When they did, I looked up at Him and He simply smiled and nodded His head. I tell you, I am convinced this Instructor can read my mind.
Anyway, to get back to the first chapter, I learned that God has a plan for me, and that is to change me to be like Jesus, the owner of the school. I learned one of those long words Christians love to use—sanctification. Basically, I learned, this was the process of being changed from what I am into the image of Jesus. I also learned that trials are one of the ways God performs this change operation. Oh oh, hear comes another one of those scriptures—“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:6-8.
OK, I’m not sure I like it, but it
is beginning to make sense—a little. God uses trials to test my faith, and through
testing it is strengthened and I will be drawn even closer to God. The book
quoted some theologian who wrote, “The faith of good people is tried, that they
themselves may have the comfort of it, God the glory of it, and others the
benefit of it.” That’s three great things my trial can achieve—one for God, one
for others, and one for myself. That makes me feel good. I always wanted to
bring glory to God and be of a help to others. Now, this is being achieved, as
well as my faith being strengthened. Wow, I can get excited over this. Wait a
minute, am I actually being joyful in my trial?