What keeps you going? This morning, the pastor asked me (& the congregation of the church I belong to) this very question. The question and his sermon couldn't have come at a perfect time for me. (not unusual)
You see, for several months, my life has been in an upheavel of sorts. I've handled unforeseen problems fairly well, but recently I've found myself fighting symptoms of depression.
In the face of adversity, I tend to be reserved and become closer to God. I lean on him for constant support, which is a good thing of course. But lately, I've noticed a slight reservation even in my personal relationship with Jesus. I know he's with me, but as I'm confronted with daily battles, I find myself withdrawing even more. Sure, I'm still fulfilling my resonsibilities, but at times, my joy has faded into mere existance. Maybe for self preservation like keeping my hands over my head to keep from being bombarded by life's worries and disappointments.
I've been through this before. I know the signs of depression, but it has taken me a couple of months to acknowledge it. So, back to the above question. What keeps you going?
Wow! What great timing. Why you ask? Well, the answer to the question is quite simple actually. My life isn't about me and the things of this world. It's about what my paster calls, "hidden treasure." It's about what is unseen instead of what is seen. The pastor reminded me that the power of God is in us, and we will have a great peace even amongst great struggles. Apostle Paul understood this all too well. Paul writes in
II Corinthians 4-7:11:
"But we have treasures in jars of clay to show this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body."
This is a power-pacted message! This life isn't about me. It is all about the glory of God. I have life to help spread the good news and have great power from God to overcome my hardships.
II Corinthians 16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
This is my answer to the above question, "What keeps you going." Why not let Paul answer it for me? He certainly had seen more troubles in his life than I'll probably ever see, and if he could write these words while living with his own pressures of spreading God's word and dealing with imprisonment and beatings, I know I need to do what Apostle Paul did all those years ago.
I pray to overcome adversity with my eyes fixed on Jesus and the new world to come, instead of concentrating on the ways of this world.
God is good.
Hidden treasure include:
Great Peace, Great Presence, Great Proclamation and Great Potential.
Look to the Lord for yours today! Better than all the riches in the world.
Thank you Lord for my life and help me to appreciate all of your wonderful blessings.
In Your Name I pray,
Amen
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4 comments:
Lisa: Have you read The Purpose Driven Life? It had a profound impact on me--keeping me going...during an unexpected distressing time in my life. I have posted a journal entry that I wrote (and shared with my church) to demonstrate the power of this books message. It, too, is power pacted...
Purpose….you say!
I am excited to have this opportunity to share the powerful impact The Purpose Driven Life has had in my life over the last year. You see, it was just last summer I discovered that the alcoholic man I always believed to be my father--was not. The DNA results were notarized and post-marked May 31st--my 48th birthday. Simultaneously, with the ripping open of the envelope, the foundations of my life began to unravel. My father, deceased since 1987, seemed ripped from heart yet again. Sibling relationships were torn, literally, in half. Paternal relatives, who I held dear to my heart, were released to an abyss of unanswered questions. My mother, a Christian since 1980, wept in disbelief and despair, with the inability to provide the much-needed answers to impending questions. Who was my father? How did this happen? What other secrets remained unknown in my life? If this basic truth was unfounded, who am I really?
These are just a few of the questions that resonated my every waking moment and my restless dreams; until I finally found myself in Pastor Paul’s office--desperately needing to find some purpose in this pain. Purpose, you ask? Yes, I needed to find just one undeniable truth to help me find my balance once again. I felt as though one of my legs had suddenly and irrevocably been amputated and I was learning to walk again. Believe me, it wasn’t an easy process. Within my moments of disbelief, I found it hard to breathe, was paralyzed with sadness and was sitting in Paul’s office on the edge of despair.
That afternoon, it was God’s Word that embraced my broken heart and began healing my fractured spirit as Pastor Paul read Psalms 139: 13-16. As he read these cherished verses, it is clear, I did not hear the audible voice of God; nevertheless, His Truth came through loud and clear! Paul continued to counsel, “Diane, God knew exactly who He wanted you to be so He used whatever DNA he needed to--to make you the unique person He had in mind.” This ancient truth was the beginning of my journey in discovering my father--my Heavenly Father--who has been with me from before my conception and has ordained each day of my life. Purpose, you say? This steadfast truth was the beginning of my renewed confidence in His purpose for my life, a purpose He has already written His Book! This not-so-small discovery led me to a 40-day study called The Purpose Driven Life.
While it is a forty day study, I have treasured it three times! Hand in hand with my Bible, I have daily experienced the indisputable presence of our loving God. He has provided words of love and open arms full of strength for my weakness, peace for my pain and hope for my desperation. In the private moments when I felt like an orphan, in the midst of my most personal distress, beneath all my tears of loss--I found God, my Heavenly Abba. Not only had He been my Redeemer, He lovingly became my Father. Throughout this journey, I have discovered, not just by faith, but by His Presence, that God meets our every need. That is the perfect definition of a Dad!
Purpose, I say! Delight in your Heavenly Father as you journey through this powerful book! Rediscover, reenergize, refocus your life as you align your will with the special purpose God has ordained for your unique life. By doing so, you will not only live in His promise, you will glorify God…undeniably, there is no greater purpose!
Thanks Lisa for sharing your hidden treasures with all who stop here.
Diane
Hi Diane!
Yes! I've read and studied, "The Purpose Driven Life!" I actually just sent a copy to a nineteen year old student at UCLA that I met thru one of my writing groups!! (hmmm, imagine that ;) Our church had a six week study group on the video as well. I have the journal that goes along with it.
This is a powerful book, and I'm in full support of it. I do know my purpose in my life thankfully. I just needed a reminder to appreciate all of God's blessings and to stay focused. Many Christians experience depression even though they know the truth. But, I think I'll get my journal out again and go over my goals and expectations! Thx!
I'm so glad the book has changed your life! It sounds like you have been thru a profound life changing experience and have found the right path-good for you!
And thank you for mentioning the Purpose Driven Life book here because it is a great book!
And, thanks be to God for his sending you my way to remind me of my purpose!
God bless you!
-Lisa
I have the journal, but haven't read the book. My son gave me the journal as a Christmas present. I found it to be such a blessing. I am so enjoying these new found relationships we are forging. Together we will, together we can.
Have a great day Lisa!
Isn't it interesting how closely related we really are??
I'm so excited about being able to met and correspond with so many neat ladies like yourself!
Thx!
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