This is how the stump looked the day we cut the tree down. It looked pretty much like the other tree stumps we had cut that day. Nothing too menacing, just a stump that now needs to be removed so we can continue widening the road, so we can continue to move a house.
Precious husband and neighbor start digging, moving dirt, leveling areas in the road that are sunken, and digging some more. Then reality sets in – the roots under the ground are huge – think the size of a smart car. Now how to move it out of the way. Better yet, what are we going to do with it when we move it?
My heart thinks that this is a reality for my spiritual life as well. There are obstacles in the way – sin, life situations, fears, disappointments – just to name a few. They don’t look so difficult from above the ground. Yet when I begin to dig down and see the roots, well, the word overwhelmed comes to mind.
Daily with help from the Spirit of God I seek to overcome the obstacles of my life. I learn “Life goes on…love still lives…God is still God” – even when the answer is no. I learn that it is better to mourn than medicate when the pain comes. I learn that if i’d rejoice in suffering he will overwhelm me with his love and grace. I learn to give thanks – that gratitude truly changes my attitude. I learn weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
I exercise my spiritual muscles to overcome the obstacles of my life…through worship…regularly with a local body of Christ. Through fear…walking through a class to gain freedom over the exposed roots…letting them be exposed. Through surrender…risking my tender heart, trust me when I say roots exposed are tender, by stepping out of my comfort zone. I attend a meeting to help with women’s ministry (I realize how introverted I am). Through trust…believing that if God is for me, who can be against me…trusting the One who loves me most…that he will comfort me.
“[The God of All Comfort] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
I am believing that he will remove the obstacles and use them for his glory alone. I am also believing that Precious husband and neighbor will find a way to remove the obstacle holding up progress on the road.
4 comments:
Good morning,
I found your blog through Holy Experience yesterday and wanted to come back today to visit. I so appreciate your post for today. It blesses me to see how willing you are to share your heart...not only with Jesus...but as you relate to us who read your blog. I've become a follower now and look forward to taking some time a little later and looking around so I can get to know you a bit better.
Oh, Nancy, those roots that grow beneath the surface. One never knows how long, how deep, how strong until one starts digging.
Have I mentioned how I dislike yard work? Perhaps it has its *roots* in this truth you share.
You, my friend, courageously dig away. It inspires.
I just want to nourish the right roots - roots that grow from the seed of His Word and righteousness. Isaiah 61:3b comes to mind..."They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his glory."
Yes, this is the stuff of life, isn't it? Learning from each other, building one another up. You do that for me. I am thankful for you today, Nancy.
Post a Comment