the storms

I was wondering yesterday at what point can you declare an entire year bad. We are into our last third of 2013 and I am ready to call it. I have had more than enough life this year.

As I pondered whether I can declare the state of the entire year in September, Jesus tendered my heart with one more display of His presence. He instantly set me straight.

He said you are measuring this all wrong. You don't see what I see. But you could, if you adjust your gaze. So I looked a little more clearly at my life...I looked through eyes of faith and measured my year by the things that matter to Jesus.

Circumstances have been difficult, but spiritual growth, love, ministry, friendships and faith have a richness that they have never had before.

At the gentle nudging of the Spirit, I was reminded that I have spent more time in His Word this year, my knowledge and faith have been stretched and grown, my dependence on and surrender to Him has been easier and more freeing. I saw a marriage taken to new depths and daily displaying the love of Christ. I see children growing more godly each day and a heart of mission and justice with a call to ministry blossoming. I see ministry growing in new ways with partnerships between churches to grow the kingdom. I smile at the great joy of pouring our lives into the next generation in a very intentional way. He pointed out friendships that have reconnected or strengthened as iron sharpens iron and deep calls to deep. He showed me a deeply content heart...a satisfied soul.

Jesus said from where I stand you have had an amazing year.

He lead me in His Word to two random verses in unfamiliar places to assure me that we are walking these difficult circumstances together and to challenge a heart that questions the way.

His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. Nahum 1:3b

Wherever the Spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. Ezekiel 1:12b

I have been reading through the prophets this summer. Nahum reminded me that God walks us into the storm. His way travels through the whirlwinds in our lives. But we have so much hope knowing that the storm clouds of life are under His feet. The are but dust He kicks around. He is sovereign over all the whirlwinds and storms. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that He has plans for our welfare...our welfare through the eyes of Jesus has always been a spiritual condition. James 1:2-4 tells us that trials are for our mature faith...so consider them joy. His way - the plans He has to lead us to mature faith - is in whirlwind and storm, but He is sovereign.

Ezekiel is seeing heaven (which honestly sounds a bit scary with all those creatures and all those eyes), anyway, in heaven they follow the Spirit, not turning as they go. If I understand that He is working out mature faith in me and know His heart is for me (Hosea 2:19-20), will I follow the Spirit wherever He goes without turning as I go? He challenges me to follow Him on the way He has for me. Trusting Him.

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. - Isaiah 43:1-3

How can I not?