Laced With Grace

Recently my husband and I received an unusual envelope. It was addressed to Mr. & Mrs. George Mueller. Yes, our last name is Mueller, but my husband is most definitely not George. He is, in fact, Greg. I laughed at the obvious mistake, realizing immediately that the sender must have come from a Christian circle. But my husband, who is relatively new to Evangelical circles did not get it. I began to explain to him who George Mueller was, and the significance that he played in the history of Christianity. I quickly laughed off the incident, but the envelope has come back to my mind several times over the weeks since we received it.

Soon afterwards, I relapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital. For the past month, I have not been able to leave bed, and I have found myself frequently frustrated. One night I found myself asking God what good I was doing Him when I was stuck in a bed with no end in sight. I even dared to ask when He had ever used anyone else when they were this debilitated. Service is supposed to be active. Not sitting in a bed. Who could possibly ever be used that way?

Again, the envelope came to mind. Having nothing better to do at the moment, I decided to do a little reading on Mr. George Mueller. I came across a blog specifically about George Mueller and began to read in fascination. I had often heard stories of his faith, his hours spent in prayer, and his refusal to ask anyone for money. As I sat there reading, I began to wonder what had inspired that kind of faith. You see, I’ve known a lot of Christians, and there have been a lot more that I’ve never known; but very few have ever had the reputation that Mr. Mueller had. I have also been around enough to know that this kind of faith does not come by accident, and it doesn’t come easy.

As I continued reading, I began to learn what had developed his faith so greatly. On two different occasions early in his ministry, George Mueller had developed severe illnesses that required him to be confined to bed. On both occasions, doctors were doubtful that he would live, and confident that he would lead a confined life. During those times of confinement, George Mueller decided to make wise use of his time. He decided that if he could do nothing else, he would read his Bible and pray. So, for over a year at time, he committed himself to reading nothing other than the Holy Scriptures, meditating on them, and communing with God.

Upon his healing, George knew that his life would never be the same. He committed for the rest of his life that he would live simply by the Scriptures no matter what the world did around him. He would not depend on others to provide his needs, but he would trust that His Father would provide his needs so long as Mr. Mueller asked God for the provision. He was faithful to ask for everything that he needed; and God would consistently provide for him, usually at the last possible moment.

As I read this, I was humbled and troubled. Here I have sat for the better part of two years in my bed. I have read books, watched lots of meaningless television, and played quite a few video games. I’ve definitely read my Bible more than I did in the past, and I’ve developed a prayer life that I never had before. But it made me wonder how much more I could have done if I had committed to only spending time with my Savior.

Could I have been healed sooner? Would I be out ministering? Or is my deepest fear true: will I never leave this bed and be able to minister to others in the way my heart desires?

But there again, God brought me comfort. After facing two illnesses early in his ministry, Mr. Mueller went on to run his orphanages until he was over 70 years old. At that point, he stopped only because he and his wife felt called to missions. For the next 17 years, George and Susannah traveled the world (reportedly over 3,000 miles) reaching everyone that they could for Christ, still without asking one cent from anyone for their needs.

If God could heal him and allow him to serve for that long throughout the world, then there is still hope that God can use me too.

How about you?

Have you ever been at a place where you felt like you were being put on the shelf? Are you there now? What did you learn while you were there?

Are you at a cross-roads in your life? Do you think that perhaps there is something a little more out there, but the path is unknown and you are not sure of your next step?

God has promised us that He will guide us each step of the way.

Isaiah 30:21 tell us, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

Have you taken the time to be still and learn to recognize that voice? I encourage you today to take a few extra minutes. Find a quiet place, and be still. Open your heart and mind to that still, small voice; and be prepared to listen. I promise that if you do, your life will be changed. Probably not in an instant, but one step at a time.

My sweet Jesus, thank you today for the precious sisters that you have brought together filled with desire to know more about you. Perhaps there are some reading today who have no idea how they got here; but once they started reading, they knew they had to continue. Perhaps there are others who have been seeking for answers. Whisper in their ears even now. Spirit, comfort and soothe each of us today. Bring us quiet and peace in the midst of the storms that we will face. Father, you have said that you will direct our paths. Lead us today one step closer to Your glory. In Jesus’ precious name we ask, amen.

And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. — 2 Corinthians 3:3-6

This piece of Scripture is something God showed me the beginning of the year when I was praying and fasting. As the year has progressed, I’ve found myself becoming dependent upon its reassurance that my competence in my ministry, in my writing, and in my marriage and family all come from God.

I fall short on a daily basis but knowing that my sufficiency (or adequacy) comes from God is such and relief and comfort! I don’t have to be perfect in order for God to use me in the lives of those around me.

Jesus writes the story of salvation on our hearts. That is the story He asks us to live out and share on a daily basis. And God gives us everything we need to do it.

I know I need constant reminding of this. I have this verse written and bookmarked in my journal for frequent reference as a reminder of who’s really in control and to use in my prayers asking God to help me meet the challenges in my life. This is part of the hope we have in Jesus. He is everything and all we need.

What piece of Scripture reassures you?

Praying and believing,
Dineen

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It was a little after midnight and I was awakened to noises outside. As I became fully alert, I realized we were in the middle of a thunderstorm. I got up and checked on our son. Finding him sound asleep, I laid back down. The storm really picked up then, and I soon began to hear hail beating against our window. My husband got up to look outside, and soon after I heard little feet coming towards our bed. Our boy climbed in bed beside me and snuggled down into the covers. He told me he did not like the noises. As I held him in my arms, I told him “But we prayed for rain.” I told him how we still needed to be thankful for the rain even though there were also noises he didn’t like.

After the major part of the storm had passed and I got our boy back into his own bed, I thought about how many times we pray for things in life and complain about the answer God gives. Instead of appreciating the answer, we focus on what we don’t have or don’t like about the situation.

Maybe you finally get a job, but you complain that you have to work the night shift. Or after months of car trouble you get a “new to you” vehicle that is paid for and dependable but then feel jealous when you see a neighbor drive by in a brand new car. Maybe your house sells super fast and then you have to live in a temporary dwelling for an unknown amount of time, something you never planned. Do you give thanks that your house sold in the slow real estate market or grumble the whole time you are in the smaller dwelling because that was not part of your plan?

God can always see the whole picture. Sometimes He will answer our prayers and just send the rain. Often though there will be some hail stones and lightning along with it. We must learn to accept His answers and trust that He knows best. As it says in Matthew, “your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8) Our part is to accept His answers and give thanks for the answers He gives.

(Also, if you have not heard the song “Blessings” by Laura Story, I encourage you to listen to it today. You can find it by searching online. The lyrics are powerful and go along with the thoughts I shared here.)

Have a day of blessings!