Living a life of struggle…
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
A man happened to come across the cocoon as the moth inside was trying to break out. He watched in fascination as the moth struggled and struggled. It later on seemed to the man that the moth was stuck as there had been no progress for a couple of minutes. The man then gingerly help pry the cocoon open and helped the moth out. To his amazement the moth had a perfect body but small, under-developed and shriveled up wings. The moth was destined never to fly.
What the man did not realize was that the moth, a Emperor moth, had to complete the struggle to break out of the cocoon ad the struggle was what developed its muscles and the final squeeze to get its wings out was what forced the blood into its wings. As it was helped by the man during this crucial stage of its life cycle, the blood was not forced into the wings, resulting in a deformed, non functional moth.
Many times we call out to God when hard times hit, we don’t understand why he does not swoop in to save us; or at least change the circumstances. Why does it appear God is silent during the most difficult times?
The verse above says that we need to trust in him and he will make our paths straight. What exactly does that mean? I suggest more times than not, it means doing the ‘hard’ things. Jonah in the bible was following God, but when God asked him to head to Nineveh to preach to the people Jonah jumped in his boat and went the opposite direction (why can I relate to this so much). No way, no how Jonah was thinking.
When Jonah was swallowed by the whale I am sure during those long days and nights all he thought about is where are you God? Why did you allow this to happen? (Jonah 1)
When Peter saw Jesus walk on the water this went beyond anything Peter could imagine (Matthew 14). So much so Peter wanted to see if Jesus could have him walk on water; so beyond any logic (remember Peter grew up on the water) Peter got out of the boat.
It was not until Jonah turned around and said “ok Lord I don’t understand; this makes no sense, but I will go” and Peter, beyond any logic, trusted enough to get out of the boat that God showed up.
A great American tragedy is the belief that we need to live in comfortable circumstances. Many of us are getting too comfortable; we don’t want to struggle like the moth. Many of us cry out for God to save us, and when he doesn’t (or at least like we imagined) we seek friends or circumstances that will help. In the end we become a non functional moth, we did not go through the trial in which God was going to use to bring him glory.
Heavenly Father, I become like a two year old in the face of trials. I stomp my feet, I complain, and I question why I am going through it. But in the end, I praise you for knowing what I need and not giving into my wants. You know what it will take to make me fly, and to give you all the glory. You have called me to live, not just a moral life, but a life of aggressive abandonment for you (Matt 16:24). Please help me to have full faith and become like Paul claimed; a bondservant for Christ.
I really enjoyed this dear, thank you.
My feet ache now as I read your words….stomping has its costs you know….the struggles we face are truly so a reflection of what we trust God for….the days I know He is in control and allow Him to be I can readily accept whatever comes…the days I am trying to control it, well the stomping shoes soon follow from frustration of being “in charge” and flailing….
Great insight Laurel…..you are a gift.
Just yesterday, we had two moths emerge from the cocoons we’d been grooming for two weeks. We weren’t sure what they would be…we were hoping for more color! They didn’t seem too active at first, but we opened up their cages and put them outside for the evening.
They must have taken flight last night because they are gone. I’m glad I didn’t try to help them too much with the process.
This is a powerful illustration about our “emerging” into flight through the process of painful entry! Beautifully written.
peace~elaine
I think alot of the time I too lean on my own understanding instead of God’s, we think we can make it on our own and it’s not until we realise that we can’t do it anymore that we reach out to God for help.
Oh, girl – I so needed to read your devotion this morning. I too cry out to Him “Why” and “It makes no sense, Lord”…but in the end every struggle makes sense! Right now, I just hold on to His promise that He will never leave me nor forsake me…
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us…
Laurel,
I always love to read your thoughts. I was struck by your post because I really believe that our Lord is not concerned for our comfort but for our character. His most amazing work in my character has come about through the struggles. Awesome post.
Great illustration. Thanks for sharing!