Tying up loose ends (Part 2)

Every December at Christmastime we quote from Isaiah 9 that states that Jesus is not only “mighty God”, but also “wonderful counselor” (verse 6).  I can attest to you that this is absolutely true.  You see, for many years, Valentine’s Day was a difficult day for me.  Understand that there have been exceptions to this; for example, things shifted when my dad passed away – almost 10 years ago now – I took it upon myself to use Valentine’s Day to show my dear mother that she is loved.  Isn’t that what we celebrate on Valentine’s Day?  But even still, I developed the habit of focusing on the (seemingly) happy couples, jealous of what they had.  This wasn’t even something I even knew that I was doing; it was God the “wonderful counselor” who recently illuminated it to me.

This Valentine’s Day was such a delight for me!  Rather than bathe in envy and jealousy, I chose gratitude that the couples around me found each other.  Rather than mentally compare myself to others (a surefire recipe to make yourself completely miserable), I can know that everyone’s story is a little different.  Incidentally, while I’m on this subject, one of the verses that the Lord used in my life is 2 Corinthians 10:12; which says, “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves by themselves, they are not wise.”  Did you know that was in the Bible?  What a joy to know that it is the Lord who directs the steps (Psalm 37:23)!  He has put me where I am today for a purpose.  I am to run my own race, or as an author I read somewhere put it: “stay in your own lane.”

I want to publicly state how I thank and praise God for showing me this important life lesson.  Romans 11:36 sums it up: “For from him and through him and for him are all things.  To him be the glory forever!  Amen.”  All of this seems obvious now, but I couldn’t see it.  Make no mistake: the reason I’m presenting this content today isn’t because I’m so clever I figured it out.  No, it’s because the “wonderful counselor” Himself communicated it to me.  And I pass this on, hopeful that it helps you as well. 

Let me conclude with this.  I’ve been re-reading a tremendous book by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Robert Wolgemoth titled “You can trust God to write your story”.  In the foreword of that book, Joni Eareckson Tada writes: “If God seems to be writing an unusual story in your life, don’t resist His penmanship on the pages of your days.  Don’t balk against the bumps and bruises He writes into your script.  I will be the first to confess that His Providence can, at times, read like a mystery novel, but in the end, His storyline for those who trust Him is always wise, specific, and good.  Good for you and for others.  Best of all, good for the kingdom.”

God bless,

Kevin