Saturday, December 31, 2005



Fun times in San Francisco.

posted by Stacie @ 12/31/2005 01:33:00 PM

My thoughts today

I realized after writing this, that my thoughts may not be as clear on paper as they seem in my head. But here they are anyway. At least it makes sense to me, if no one else:

I've heard it said by some, that when we go through pain or sorrow, it dosn't seem that we are being protected by God. That He is far away and we are being punished for some sin issue. Is this the case? It certainly makes sense that as humans, our idea of protection is having no pain, nothing bad happen and a primarily joyful existence. But then I think...we have our existence here on earth, not heaven. Can we then expect to have no pain? Why would we want heaven at all, if earth was perfection?

Aside from the realization that we are all sinners, is there another realization that we can take from God's perfection?
I know that God is soverign. He is perfect. His plan for our lives is more perfect than we could ever imagine. I know that following Him will lead to everlasting life with Him. I know that I am a sinner, and without him, I could not survive.
Could His protection come from seeing sin in our lives as well as others? Other people's sin may impact us. Could this show us how perfect He is? Yes. Could this protect us? Yes. Seeing sin could keep us from having that sin in our lives, or making a choice that could impact our life forever.

I know that everything that we go through, painful or full of joy, should help us look upward to God. We should ask God to show us why we are put in such a situation. What can we gain, how can we grow in Christ? "Should", is the key word.
I have to admit that this is not easy for me. As I give advice to others, I have to say that I'm not sure I would(or do) take this advice for myself. Do I see God's work in everthing big and small. I know that i see my pain, or others pain, but do I see Him. Am i seeking Him? Every minute of everyday, am I seeking Him. What He might have in store for me. Will I be patient and wait for His perfect plan to play out in my life, or will I force my will to be played out.

Ultimately, He is in control. He is soverign and He will protect us, even through pain. We must seek Him and His protection, crawl into His arms and rest in His soverignty.

posted by Stacie @ 12/31/2005 12:16:00 PM