Anything by Jenni Allen Wk 12: Dominoes Pages 107-114 Blog 12: Shouldn't It Always Go Well?12/8/2016 "Somewhere in my life I picked up the idea that if things did not feel right or fall perfectly into place, God was not in them. ... For instance, if God was calling you to Africa, then he would have a buyer for your house in two weeks; and if not, then he likely isn't in it." [Pg 107] There was a time when I too believed that if something went well then God was in it. It was a kind of barometer gauging his leading in my life. If God had a job for me, wanted me to get involved in something, or even presented a challenge, I believed that if, IF, he was in it everything would fall into place. But if things went sideways it was time to bail. I have to laugh now because how ironic would that be? Would God give me an experience, an assignment or challenge and take all the character-building elements out of it? Isn't that like the ballerina on this tightrope? Does it look like she's going to fall? Does there appear to be any challenge for her as she walks on tippy-toes? It seems like she's risking nothing ~ like she's got it all handled ~ and then some. Am I saying when God asks that it is always unpleasant or contains risk? I don't know? What do you think? Has God ever asked you to do something, to put yourself out there ~~ way out there? Did that all go wonderful? Was it risky? Has God given you a challenge? Did it end up costing you anything? Has he given you wisdom without expecting you to use it? And are you looking forward to the next tough patch that results in earning more wisdom (because the last time was so much fun)? We know that God has a distinct purpose in all life experiences, and that they involve risk and growth. The following testifies to this. "Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ... And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint..." Romans 5.1, 3-5a [emphasis mine] So we are here to testify about our faith. When does that testimony matter? When we're at peace and all is going well? NO. When things stink! That testimony gives encouragement, inspiration and truth about faith to observers. But is there anything in it for us who suffer? Yes. We develop deeper character through those elements of faith which we hang onto for dear life! It's all a win ~ win! So when I say now that it's funny to think that God would only be in something if it all went well, I give you the above as to why He is in those things that often go south. Then the reasonable question becomes: How do I know if God wants me to do something or not? Well, now we're back to last week's post and the topic of RELATIONSHIP. 'Cause without good ears and a willing, flexible, obedient heart, YOU WON'T KNOW. So draw near, pull in close, hang on for dear life, and follow Him ~ follow what you hear in your heart. ~ Andi
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