"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly
we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by
day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an
eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what
is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what
is unseen is eternal. "
-2 Corinthians 4:16-18
When I look back at the past few years of my life, I notice
that my life has been under construction and still is a work in progress. Ever
since I said YES to the Lord and have surrendered my life to Him, the Lord has
been shaping me to resemble Him more and more.
To tell you the truth, I was a bit worried at first. How
will God know how I want my life to look like? How will He know what I love the
most? How can I give Him complete trust over my most valuable
asset, my life, the life I can live only once?
It hurt. Change is not easy. At many times I cried out to
Him to go easy on me or even to stop. I felt confused and couldn't see a
glimpse of what is ahead. I surrendered and tried to remain
joyful all through- holding on to His promises. I was confident and
still am, that He who began a good work in me, will carry it on to completion
(Philipians 1:6). I am not alone (Deuteronomy 31:6). I am in the hands of the
Almighty who created my inmost being, who knit me in my mother's womb (Psalm
139:13), who has engraved my name on the palm of His hands (Isaiah
49:16).
And to my surprise, when His work in my life started to
blossom, I was overjoyed!!
And boy was I surprised. A feeling of belittlement swept me
off my feet. How did I allow myself to doubt God's work, to doubt His purpose
and worry. I was nagging and giving Him advice on how I would like my life to
be, drawing Him maps and writing Him lists to help Him give me my way.
Little did I know to what extent God is alive and at work.
What I thought was best for me, what I thought would bring me pleasure, could
not compare to what He gave me and is still giving me! I was like a child
nagging for a cottage and feeling impatient to have it, and little did I
know that He was taking His time in building me a mansion.
God is building my house, my life, in the most delicate,
detailed and perfect way I could ever imagine. His work is still in
progress, and I don't expect the construction to be done anytime soon. I
don't mind that as long as that I know that my life is in the
hands of the perfect designer who loves me more than I love myself and who
knows me more than I know myself and who wants what's best for me on the long
run.
Until we are pure gold!
ReplyDeleteWhat I needed to hear! So encouraging to focus on the unseen.
ReplyDeleteVery very nice Joy!
ReplyDeleteAmen amen amen!!!!:D
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You conveyed a tough journey through simple words and just focused on His greatness! I love it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Joy for those nice words! I believe that the Lord is building a palace within me!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joy! wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteSo true
So lovely... so peaceful... so joyful!!
ReplyDeleteIt's great when we read in different words, things we've always thought of and believed in... That's an enrichment but mostly a joy to the heart and mind. Keep blogging... and bringing joy :)
So truly " he was taking his time in building me" thanks Joy Maryyyyyy
ReplyDeleteI love love love it!
ReplyDeleteAmen!!
ReplyDeleteexcellent cousine!
ReplyDeleteAmennn !
ReplyDeletebeautifully said.. and very touching too! Joya there's nothing like 'surrendering' to God and allowing God to act through you.. Thank you for this beautiful energy <3
ReplyDelete