January 21, 2007

Good winter morning! Once more we seem to be in a snowstorm; it feels a little different to have a real winter. Snow drifts and cold temperatures, the winter conditions are just what we expect from Nebraska in January. We prayed for snow this winter and the Lord has answered in a wonderful way. I realize that some of you may want to toss something at me right now, but I do enjoy the winter… usually from inside my warm house. J
What goal is worth our effort today? In the larger picture our goals are the same; to glorify God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and to spread the Good News of eternal life through the Son. However, the tasks we have, the privilege of serving our Lord, is different for each of us. One might be called to speak with co-workers, one to minister in a church, one to be a healer, one to the mission field, and many other ways to serve the Lord. All of us are still here for a reason; I truly believe that God will not leave us here for one moment longer than necessary to complete His work in us. We already know that Jesus died and rose again for us; a love that could not be contained in a grave. We should also know then that a love so great will not let us suffer without cause.
Why the gloom today? I woke up with a headache, and it hasn’t gone away just yet. It is always easier to write about suffering when I am, well, suffering. These things shall pass, but it is comforting to rest in the assurance that the Lord may have sent this little bit of suffering to me for this very purpose. To write about it and to rest in his grace so that someone else might be comforted. How can my suffering reach someone else? By letting someone know that he or she is not alone in the trials of this life. In the world the sufferings are the product of chance or fate; in Christ, we know that all of this happens for a reason. Every event, each decision in our life presses on toward the goal of Christ returning in his glory. Not every thing we suffer is a punishment, most of it probably is not, and so we rise up even in suffering and sing praises to the Lord. Please know that I love you and even more God loves you. Hallelujah for the Son!

Bucky

P.S. … and one might be called to write a little devotional each day, or even a bunch of best-selling novels, even on the days when it is difficult to write. Praise God for the privilege.