Looking & Learning

I was listening to a message by one of my all time favorite Bible study leaders a few days ago while cleaning up our house.  One of the primary points in the message was; when we are in the midst of a struggle, we are to take hope that after the struggle the Lord will then provide abundant blessing.

This point has remained on my mind throughout this week.  I will never say God is not in the business of blessing us abundantly after a time of struggle.  By all means, we serve a gracious Lord who cares deeply about His children and can do far more than we can ever ask or imagine.  However, I cannot help but wonder if, in the midst of our struggles, the abundant blessings are present as well.  Is the blessing simply overshadowed by the struggle?

 In the course of a struggle, when we reach the point of desperately searching for the Lord, we begin to see His blessings.  At times these blessings may not have been present throughout the struggle.  However, more often than not, I believe the blessings were always there while the Lord patiently waited on us to change our gaze and acknowledge Him.

 Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Last Thursday I was laying out on a boardwalk in Santa Domingo reading the day away.  Today I have been chasing around little one's (whom I absolutely adore), speaking Creole, sending multiple e-mails, and handling many logistics as several of our BHM co-laborers are off of the property today.

It is in this moment my head says, "Okay, Chelsea last week was a great week, you were living in the midst of so many blessings.  This week is a struggle." My heart quickly intercepts that thought with the word's of my Creator, "My child, although you may be in a different location with different tasks, my desire to make myself known to you and give you an abundant life remains the same, would you please embrace it today."

John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."

My perspective then changes.  My heart warms while watching the excitement and carefree play of two precious children.  I find myself wondering what our children will be like one day!  I walk away from another conversation feeling accomplished, "Yes, I just spoke a very complete thought without stuttering or inserting any English!"  I return to my e-mails with excitement because I love to talk and connect with others, especially about the work the Lord is doing in Haiti.  I write down another detail on yet another post-it note, I thank God that He knows all and I don't have to.  My gaze is shifting...

It is unbelievable how searching for blessings is truly a 24/7 deliberate act!  In Phillipians 4, Paul talks about how he has learned the secret to being content in every circumstance.  It is a practice, an effort, a struggle, a quest.  May we not settle by assuming the Lord has us in a period of waiting on His blessings because it is a little difficult to see them in the fog of our circumstances.  May we learn this discipline and daily search for the blessings of our Lord! 

Turn Your Eye's Upon Jesus

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O'er us sin no more hath dominion--

For more than conqu'rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you--He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell! .