Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The End Result

“We’re not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”~ C.S. Lewis

After reading this quote it would be interesting to see from what direction C.S. Lewis was coming from when he stated what he did. From the sounds of it neither direction works. Justifying the fact that we do not necessarily doubt God doing the best for us by saying we are just wondering how painful the best will turn out to be isn’t the way to go either.

Unfortunately that is how we often operate. We know that God will do the best for us but we are so worried about the pain involved to get where we need to be that we miss out on a great journey. Sitting here thinking about this makes me think of going to the dentist or some place else and we ask the question, “Is this going to hurt?” That should not be the thing on our mind when it comes to trusting God to know what He is doing.

Experience probably has taught us all the same lessons worldwide that God doesn’t always take the shortest routes between point A and point B. What we see is a good shortcut God does not. He’s more apt to take the long way around if it’s for our own benefit in our spiritual maturity.

Pain can be an odd sort of creature. It is used to tell us something is wrong. It is used to tell us we finally did something right that worked a muscle that was long forgot. Instead of looking ahead to what the pain may be we need to be anticipating God’s best. If it requires the use of pain then so be it.

Sometimes my husband thinks I’m kind of strange doing things that I know will cause me pain. Like the other day I raced my 5-year-old grandson through a three-foot tubing to see who could win. He came out the other end jumping in excitement while I came out exhausted and looking for someone to help me get up from my hands and knees. I do it for the joy of it. If I waited to be pain free I never would get to do anything as my osteopenia and arthritis take their toll.

The same with our Christian walk, we need to go forward with Christ and not think about what pain may be involved. The result at the end of the race will be worth the pain it took to get there. We need to focus on trusting God to do His best because He will as we concentrate on doing our best in the waiting. The end result will always be worth the journey it took us to get there.

Our host today is Jennifer over at her site, Scraps and Snippets. Get on over there and share with the gang. If you have to travel on all fours don’t worry about the pain it took you to get there just enjoy the fun of the arrival.

5 comments:

Denise said...

Very well said sweetie.

Jennifer said...

"We need to focus on trusting God to do His best because He will as we concentrate on doing our best in the waiting." So true! Thanks for sharing today!

Denise J. Hughes said...

"He’s more apt to take the long way around if it’s for our own benefit in our spiritual maturity."

This is so true. God is not interested in shortcuts; he is interested in our hearts being completely devoted to Him alone. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights. (I love the pictures of you and your grandson crawling through the tube. Classic!)

Denise Hughes :)

Miriam Pauline said...

Intesting perspective on the quote. Gives me food for thought. Thank you for sharing!

Debbie Petras said...

Such wisdom you write. As we go through this journey, the Lord refines us and teaches us often through pain and trials.

I love the analogy you gave about your grandchild. Thanks for sharing Karen.