True Forever Friends are a Gift
True forever friends are a gift.
Yesterday, my dear friends were telling a bit of their present day “transition story”. They shared this devotional in a group setting, where we had gathered for a Gogo Grandmothers Board Meeting. I have not stopped thinking about this over the past 24 hours because it challenged me to look more closely at my own life. When trustworthy friends speak life into me I have learned to STOP AND LISTEN!!!
Here is a paraphrase of the devotional they read from, called Streams in the Desert. “After He has gathered His own flock (When He puts forth all His own), He walks ahead of them, and they follow Him because they know his voice.” John 10:4
It would not be conducive to our true welfare to always stay in one happy and comfortable place. He therefore “puts us forth” (gathers us up and goes ahead of us). It could not be BETTER to stay when He determines otherwise, and if the loving hand of God “puts us forth”, it must be well. He goes before us. Whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him. Faith’s eye can always discern His majestic presence in front and when that can not be seen, it is dangerous to move forward. The Savior has tried for Himself all the experiences through which He asks you to pass; and He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for your feet, or too trying for your strength. This is the Blessed life-not anxious to see far in front, nor careful about the next step, not eager to choose the path, nor weighted with heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time.
How often do we actually look at our own difficult circumstances with the willingness to find God’s perspective? God works in strange and mysterious ways. So often we miss out on the blessings that lie just a bit ahead of us on the horizon because we are not willing to trust that God will walk with us every step of the way through our hard stuff.
In the Old Testament, Joseph endured some very difficult circumstances due to the betrayal of his brothers. When he had an opportunity to be reunited with them many years later, he had a unique perspective on the situation. Genesis 50:18-19 says…Joseph said to them (his brothers), “Do not be afraid of me, for am I in the place of God? As for you (my brothers), you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result…”
When I am struggling, or challenged outside of my comfort zone, I try to discipline myself to PAY CLOSER ATTENTION. What am I supposed to be learning? What parts of my character might God be refining? Who around me can I ask for advice, prayer, insight or helpful wisdom? How can I bless others while navigating my own trial?
We all have issues that challenge us! We might be in a tough spot with aging parents. We might have interpersonal relationship conflicts at work. Some of us are lonely. Some of us are facing financial difficulties. Are you traveling down a rough road in your life? Is God putting you forth? Is He asking you to surrender and trust Him with your challenging circumstances? I try to remember to not compare my life to other people’s lives. Do not become bitter because it seems like other people never suffer like you do. Remember that God is faithful. He is trustworthy. He will walk with you through your stuff. He always has a purpose in mind as He molds and shapes us during the tough times and in the times of joy.
Do you have a true forever friend in your life that you should STOP and LISTEN to?