When was the last time you were deeply moved reading God's word? Actually, it's often the gauge in how I sense His leading in which scripture to share daily. Whether it's a response of joy or tears it can be the indicator that dictates my writing. If emotions have been stirred, I need to take note.
This morning I was sobbing through the chapters I read. Just two days ago I had a conversation with a friend about parenting. She was concerned that she may have intervened too often on behalf of her children. She felt she should have allowed them to suffer more consequences in their younger years. It's a tough call. I think we have all been "mama or papa bears" at some point. The longing to protect and defend our children is a very real instinct and we have to constantly seek the Lord's direction as to when to get involved and when to step back.
Today as I read about the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion and the His final cries on the cross, I kept thinking about the heart of God. There were so many opportunities for Jesus' Father to step in and stop the pain that His Son was suffering. Imagine as a parent witnessing the mocking, beating and being spit upon. Consider watching as all of Jesus' closest friends deserted Him, then one denying and another betraying. God had the power at any moment to stop all the abuse yet He allowed His Son to endure unfathomable pain for a purpose. God's hands weren't tied. I can only guess that His heart was aching watching such cruelty thrust upon His only Son, but there was a greater love...a love that restrained His present protection for an eternal good.
I believe there are so many times in our lives, where like Jesus, we may feel abandoned by God. He isn't responding as we feel He should. Don't ever believe it's because He's unaware. He is not avoiding you. He knows every detail of the situation but He also knows a greater good. He takes no pleasure in allowing hardships and disappointments to touch our lives yet He restrains Himself from stepping in and answering according to our desire because of His love for us. This is the restraint of love.
See, I would have pulled Jesus off the cross, and as my friend Kimberly Henderson has written, my actions would have cheated the world of a Saviour...of salvation...and eternal life. Sometimes love is best displayed in what may appear as doing nothing. That "nothing" is accomplishing a great something.
** I have to share with you one of the most powerful writings I've ever read. My friend Kimberly Henderson wrote this years ago. It's truth still captures my thoughts today.
"I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. And I would have cheated nations out of the one God would use to deliver them from famine.
I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul's spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid away in. Out of the pain of rejection. And I would have cheated Israel out of a God-hearted king.
I would have pulled Esther out. Out of being snatched from her only family. Out of being placed in a position she never asked for. Out of the path of a vicious, power-hungry foe. And I would have cheated a people out of the woman God would use to save their very lives.
And I would have pulled Jesus off. Off of the cross. Off of the road that led to suffering and pain. Off of the path that would mean nakedness and beatings, nails and thorns. And I would have cheated the entire world out of a Savior. Out of salvation. Out of eternity filled with no more suffering and no more pain.
And oh friend. I want to pull you out. I want to change your path. I want to stop your pain. But right now I know I would be wrong. I would be out of line. I would be cheating you and cheating the world out of so much good. Because God knows. He knows the good this pain will produce.
He knows the beauty this hard will grow. He's watching over you and keeping you even in the midst of this. And He's promising you that you can trust Him. Even when it all feels like more than you can bear.
So instead of trying to pull you out, I'm lifting you up. I'm kneeling before the Father, and I'm asking Him to give you strength. To give you hope. I'm asking Him to protect you and to move you when the time is right. I'm asking Him to help you stay prayerful and discerning. I'm asking Him how I can best love you and be a help to you. And I'm believing He's going to use your life in powerful and beautiful ways. Ways that will leave your heart grateful and humbly thankful for this road you've been on."
Kimberly D. Henderson, copyright 2017
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