We were so blessed to have Carl & Rosy with us this past Sunday. Faithful and amazing warriors for the King – they have served, continue to serve, and plan to keep on serving Him. An example to us and a blessing to this world.
As Carl was speaking yesterday, I felt the Lord highlight the following:
Hebrews 12:6, 10-11
the Lord disciplines the one he loves…God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have trained by it
As Lifespring continues to embark on the journey of maturity to be the huios (mature sons), the reality is life will not be all rainbows and sunshine. In fact, growing in maturity to become just like Jesus will require constant pruning/refining/discipline. Sometimes, oftentimes, most times… we don’t look like Jesus. And it is in these times we need that pruning.
I came back from a church conference and started to speak to my brother. I was full of the Spirit, full of zeal, full of excitement… somewhere along the conversation my brother said, “inherently you are selfish”. First of all… what does inherently mean?! Second of all, I’m not selfish – YOU are selfish! It wasn’t a great response. It wasn’t something I wanted to hear. It wasn’t something that was “what would Jesus do”. But honestly, after calming, thinking, reflecting, and eventually realizing… I was being a child… I was being selfish.
Early in my marriage, I was complaining about having to take my wife to St. Lawrence Market to the pastoral team. Who wants to go to St. Lawrence Market? There is no parking, it’s expensive, and everything is organic! But my wife really wanted to go, so I was complaining that I had to go. Jerry Chee literally pointed at me and said, “who cares you don’t want to go? Your wife wants to go, you go and you have a good time!” But Jerry!! But… but… but… maybe my attitude was selfish.
Pruning/Refining/Discipline sucks. But pruning/refining/discipline is absolutely unavoidable in the journey of maturity.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
This was a Psalm of David – one whom God truly loved. I pray that we, as Lifespring, would not just know the words – but live the words. Pruning comes in different ways – all of it painful, but all of it beneficial.
Be humble to hear correction from others, be patient to hear from the King. But in all of it – its because your Father wants you to be, JUST LIKE HIM.