The big news this morning is that there was a small earthquake in Virginia, which affected Washington, D.C. By "affected," I mean it made some buildings shake a little. Apparently, no one was hurt, but a few windows broke and some pieces fell off the National Cathedral. Still, it was "big news" and everyone was talking about it.
Speaking as someone who lived 15 years in the Pacific Northwest, I am not really impressed. We had small quakes and big quakes. Our buildings shook and the ground trembled and we moved on with our lives.
It's all about what you expect, isn't it? If you expect quakes (like in the Northwest), then a quake is not a big deal. You just live with it. On the other hand, if you think you are immune from quakes, then even a small quake seems like a very big deal.
The same thing is true in life. Many of us were told, as children, that being a Christian meant our lives would be safe and easy. "God loves you," we were told, "and He will take care of you." Our parents seemed happy and we did not really know what went on in adult life. Likewise, some adults who are now in our churches were brought to church by the same promises. "God will fix your family" or "God will fix your finances" or "God will make you happy," they were told.
What happens when these lies are exposed? Because they are lies and they will be exposed. Yes, God loves us, but He loves as a Father not as a television dad. He is not about giving us lots of things, but about making us better people.
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by
him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he
receives." Heb. 12:5.
The Lord disciplines, which involves suffering. "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant," we are told in Hebrews 12:11. "but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
What quakes have come your way lately? It may be much more than turning over some lawn furniture or breaking a window. It may be the kind of quake you would never have chosen. It may be the kind of quake that shakes you to the foundation of all that you are. But it is what He sends to you in His love.
Do not panic over the quakes you feel in your life. Have faith in God, and the quakes will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Speaking as someone who lived 15 years in the Pacific Northwest, I am not really impressed. We had small quakes and big quakes. Our buildings shook and the ground trembled and we moved on with our lives.
It's all about what you expect, isn't it? If you expect quakes (like in the Northwest), then a quake is not a big deal. You just live with it. On the other hand, if you think you are immune from quakes, then even a small quake seems like a very big deal.
The same thing is true in life. Many of us were told, as children, that being a Christian meant our lives would be safe and easy. "God loves you," we were told, "and He will take care of you." Our parents seemed happy and we did not really know what went on in adult life. Likewise, some adults who are now in our churches were brought to church by the same promises. "God will fix your family" or "God will fix your finances" or "God will make you happy," they were told.
What happens when these lies are exposed? Because they are lies and they will be exposed. Yes, God loves us, but He loves as a Father not as a television dad. He is not about giving us lots of things, but about making us better people.
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by
him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he
receives." Heb. 12:5.
The Lord disciplines, which involves suffering. "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant," we are told in Hebrews 12:11. "but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
What quakes have come your way lately? It may be much more than turning over some lawn furniture or breaking a window. It may be the kind of quake you would never have chosen. It may be the kind of quake that shakes you to the foundation of all that you are. But it is what He sends to you in His love.
Do not panic over the quakes you feel in your life. Have faith in God, and the quakes will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness.