CF family,
I hope
you're considering God's beauty this week in light of Sunday's message.
We have much to enjoy, from recent cool mornings to spectacular sunsets at the
end of 1570.....and the good standing we have with our Creator because of
Christ's work. Definitely a great and lovely thing showing up in an
expected way.
Even as
you're enjoying His beauty this week, I suspect there are times when you feel
like God is completely disconnected from whatever you might be going
through. I feel that way at times. But we need to go back to
"beautiful" moments in our bibles when we see God in His time and on
His terms and for His glory do something great and lovely in a setting where
it's completely unexpected. Going to those stories, like the one in Acts
3, encourage us and sustain us with the realization that God is up to a glory
plan ALWAYS. He does in fact work all things together for
good for those who are called according to His purpose.
This
afternoon I read the account of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4. If
you've ever been in a small boat in a big body of water you can imagine how
vulnerable the disciples must have felt as the tempest rolled in. They
were in a serious mess and from all indications God was snoozin in the back of
the boat. I love what they said to Him as they woke Him "Teacher,
do you not care that we are perishing?" That's not a
question....it's an accusation!! "Jesus, you don't care that
we're perishing!!" is really what they meant I think. That's the
way it can feel at times when you're in the throes of something difficult and
God seems distant and unresponsive. It's cool that Jesus didn't even
answer their "question"......instead He just rebuked the wind and sea
with "Peace, Be still!"
I want to
encourage you if you're lying asking for alms under the Gate Beautiful.
If you're in the tempest and God seems asleep......know that God isn't uncaring
and disconnected. He knows and is working a beautiful plan for
His glory. Be patient. Be thankful He's at the helm.
Trust Him. He SO "cares that you're perishing"....enough to
take on flesh and do battle (and win) with your greatest tempest so that you
can enjoy peace with God.
I love y'all
and hope you have a beautiful week,
Ben
