"All of us must die eventually.
Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground,
which cannot be gathered up again.
But God does not just sweep life away;
instead, he devises ways to bring us back
when we have been separated from him."
2 Samuel 14:14
I happened upon that verse Wednesday night before I went to bed. All during my kindergarten class the next day, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Finally, I had enough sense to ask God why it was so heavy on my mind. Two names came to mind.
Amy & Randy.
I love these two dearly, and they've been constantly in my prayers ever since I met them at the hotel 7 years ago. About once a year for the past 5 years or so, I have invited Amy to church. This Easter was no different.
I know only sparse details about what happened during Amy's childhood, but I know it made enough of an impact to make her never want to set foot in another church. Still, I believe that my God can outlast human stubborn-ness.
Needless to say, Amy's answer to my question wasn't all that unexpected. A resounding "NO", followed by a "AND PLEASE DON'T ASK AGAIN."
Good Friday rolled around and there I sat in church, thinking about Amy & Randy.
It's frustrating to say the least. I know the difference that Christ has made in my life, and I know that the same would be true for them. I hear Amy talk about things she's passionate about, and she even fires me up about things I normally wouldn't think twice about. I know that she could have a tremendous impact among her circle of friends.
I get frustrated with her stubbornness.
I get frustrated that she can go from so open and talkative about things like God and Christianity and religion to so closed off to anything even remotely close to the topic.
I get frustrated with God.
I read verses like the one in 2 Samuel and 2 Peter 3 where it says that "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (9), and I wonder what's taking so long.
I get frustrated that it apparently "isn't working" and "nothing is happening." After 7 years of praying for them both, I just want to see human results.
Sitting in that pew, I just happened to look down and notice the bracelet a friend had given me. Inscribed in the yellow plastic was the word "HOPE". And Isaiah 55 came to mind:
Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground,
which cannot be gathered up again.
But God does not just sweep life away;
instead, he devises ways to bring us back
when we have been separated from him."
2 Samuel 14:14
I happened upon that verse Wednesday night before I went to bed. All during my kindergarten class the next day, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Finally, I had enough sense to ask God why it was so heavy on my mind. Two names came to mind.
Amy & Randy.
I love these two dearly, and they've been constantly in my prayers ever since I met them at the hotel 7 years ago. About once a year for the past 5 years or so, I have invited Amy to church. This Easter was no different.
I know only sparse details about what happened during Amy's childhood, but I know it made enough of an impact to make her never want to set foot in another church. Still, I believe that my God can outlast human stubborn-ness.
Needless to say, Amy's answer to my question wasn't all that unexpected. A resounding "NO", followed by a "AND PLEASE DON'T ASK AGAIN."
Good Friday rolled around and there I sat in church, thinking about Amy & Randy.
It's frustrating to say the least. I know the difference that Christ has made in my life, and I know that the same would be true for them. I hear Amy talk about things she's passionate about, and she even fires me up about things I normally wouldn't think twice about. I know that she could have a tremendous impact among her circle of friends.
I get frustrated with her stubbornness.
I get frustrated that she can go from so open and talkative about things like God and Christianity and religion to so closed off to anything even remotely close to the topic.
I get frustrated with God.
I read verses like the one in 2 Samuel and 2 Peter 3 where it says that "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (9), and I wonder what's taking so long.
I get frustrated that it apparently "isn't working" and "nothing is happening." After 7 years of praying for them both, I just want to see human results.
Sitting in that pew, I just happened to look down and notice the bracelet a friend had given me. Inscribed in the yellow plastic was the word "HOPE". And Isaiah 55 came to mind:
"'I don't think the way you think.
The way you work isn't the way I work,' declares the Lord."
I came to the realization that God doesn't operate on my time. Just because I don't see the results I want, it doesn't mean that nothing is happening. I don't know what's going on in Amy's heart. As the choir sang of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, my heart was overwhelmed with hope.
The hope that God's way is best.
The hope that Christ's death was not in vain.
The hope that the Spirit is actively working in Amy & Randy's lives.
The hope that I'll be courageous enough to continue speaking up when opportunity presents.
The hope that I will get to spend eternity with 2 of the people I love more than anything else.
The way you work isn't the way I work,' declares the Lord."
I came to the realization that God doesn't operate on my time. Just because I don't see the results I want, it doesn't mean that nothing is happening. I don't know what's going on in Amy's heart. As the choir sang of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, my heart was overwhelmed with hope.
The hope that God's way is best.
The hope that Christ's death was not in vain.
The hope that the Spirit is actively working in Amy & Randy's lives.
The hope that I'll be courageous enough to continue speaking up when opportunity presents.
The hope that I will get to spend eternity with 2 of the people I love more than anything else.
"AND HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT."
Romans 5:5
Romans 5:5
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