“Finally, brothers, we instructed you
how to live in order to please God,
as in fact you are living. Now we ask
you in the name of the Lord Jesus
to do this more and more.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV)
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When our son was growing up, we had a ritual we followed. We
had received a paper measuring device that we attached to the doorpost in his
room. Periodically, we would have him stand up against it and mark his height
on the paper. When I grew up, parents did this right on a wall in a corner or
on the doorpost itself. As I now watch old western movies, I see places where
families did this very same practice. It speaks of their love for their
children.
God gives us signs of our growth as we mature in Christ. He
allows events to occur in our lives that draws us closer to Him. James tells us
to “consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials.” He continues to
explain that those trials allow us to become mature in our faith.
God allows rough times to enter our lives for His own
reasons. Primarily, He wants us to grow closer to Him. Then, later on, we may
have the opportunity to comfort another person as they face a similar hardship.
Or, God may use that trial as a benchmark to remind us when we endure a future
trial.
As we grow in Christ, we find we are not as impressed with
the trappings of this world.
Oh, I love that analogy Cecelia, we used to do that too. We would stand against the door post with a book on our head and my dad would measure. Of course my brothers and I were always trying to stretch and stand on our toes.. haha.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, thank you.