Soul Searching

September 22, 2008

Lar,

I am presently reading a book called The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson. During the section I read this morning, he spoke at length about the way in which discontent can easily can a place in the death of children and the loss of goods. The words I read were humbling words, in large part because there were so plain and so right, particularly regarding the death of one’s child.

It pains me to even think about losing one my children. Indeed, it scares me, for it forces me to ask myself whether or not I really want to know what I know. Do I really want to know by experience all that adhere to intellectually regarding the promises of God and the comfort and security found in Christ?

In short, what kind of grip do I have upon God’s good gifts? Do I delight in them more than I do the Lord Himself? If the Lord took away one that I hold so dear, how would I be exposed? Indeed, do I even want (really, deep down) to be exposed, even as I remember the blessing that is promised to be found there?

Time and time again in Scripture, we see that clarity of thought and feeling comes only when we are brought low. Let us ask ourselves then: do we really want to see clearly or simply preserve a nice comfortable life?

Tough questions to be sure. But tough questions are usually good ones to ask.
Humbled by difficult questions,
Joe

Posted by Joe | Filed Under Seeking Him 

Comments

One Response to “Soul Searching”

  1. Michelle Lazarus on September 23rd, 2008 10:29 am

    Joe, thank you so much for sharing your own struggles in this area. I have been challenged a lot in the same area lately. It seems that the Lord is relentless to have us worship Him and Him alone as our ultimate treasure! I know all too painfully well what a high place Larry and Halle (and soon Felicity) have in my heart and in my daily thoughts, compared to the Lord…and I’m so overwhelmingly thankful that He is faithful to gently expose me and purify me in this area. AND it’s really encouraging to know I’m not alone in this difficult battle.

    Wow–I think this is the first comment I’ve ever posted on this blog! This is DEFINITELY a sure sign of how relevant this post is to my heart right now!

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