Ok, so finally.... caught up with some sleep over the week and I do feel a bit more recovered from homegroup weekend. I'm not sure why I feel tired - sessions weren't too intense and it was a fairly laid back and relaxing time.
At homegroup weekend, we focused on accountability and discipline. When things go wrong, it's easy to say 'God doesn't love me, otherwise this wouldn't happen' or 'Why would God let this happen to me?'. So it is reassuring to read "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" (Hebrews 12:7) Tough times would come, but it's not because God doesn't love us - indeed, they are there because we are God's children. He is preparing us for the kingdom. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11).
What does the Bible mean by struggle and hardship? Surely it is subjective? One's hardship could be another's daily life routine. Is hardship being in war? Losing a loved one? Finding out that you or a loved one has a life-threatening disease? Losing a limb? Not getting the grades you want? Failing to get the limited edition gadget you set your eyes on months ago? Losing a race? Not being promoted? Not getting the job you applied for? It is easy to be dramatic and insist that your struggle is the hardest. It is equally easy to be dismissive of others' hardship and think 'well, at least you are healthy and do not have to be worried about your son/husband/father at war'. Whenever I get stressed now, I make myself take time to thank God for what I already have. It sounds horribly cliche-d, but I make myself think about what others do not have which God had provided me with.
Later on, we shared testimonies on how and why we accepted Christ. It was wonderful to hear of God working in different ways in all of us. As Hebrews 12 points out, there are obstacles in the way and there are barriers that threaten to entangle us in the race. But it was great to hear how God ensured we came out even stronger in the end.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Mrs Chan writes:
That's an interesting piece Jess. Thought I'd let you know that I've gone back to church. Praise the Lord! Remember how u used to try to drag me to church in Brum and I never went? I was a sick and lazy puppy. Hehe. Well, finally realised that I can't live without having Him in my life. God has guided me through so many trials and tribulations and I am so blessed.
Btw, I can't imagine how you cope jetting about here and there! You are a global jetsetter travelling to so many places!
hey, i read that last week!!! if our earthly father disciplines us, what more our heavenly father...
ohmy ohmy ohmy.. dont i have so much to tell u tis wkend~!!!
Jen: Hey, that's excellent news! I only went back to church 20 months ago. Wish we found this chuch when we were in uni - much more at home at this church than the one we tried before!
Jo: Hope you take courage from the words during this stressful time! Will call this weekend. Looking forward to the gossip.
Post a Comment