"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."
What great words. Can you say, as I can, that you find yourself in the middle of a test from God? If so, then I imagine that you may think the same about that passage as I do. Only, you may also feel the same way as I do about it. Blessed? Really? How can I be blessed in this trial?
I wonder about the process in which God took as he laid out my life and begun placing certain circumstances into place to eventually lead me to where I am now. I wonder if he sat there, pen in hand, surrounded by a heavenly host, writing out this dramatic scenario that I am to live out. Whether or not that is even remotely close to what he did, I can't help but be mindful of the fact that God, Almighty, has taken what amount of time he wishes to focus on me in my small tragic existence. God loves me so much that he has taken my life into a blank canvas point of being, and the end result, should I allow him to work, will be a masterpiece painted by the master and giver of life. What an amazing and inspiring place to be in!
I have been taught and believe with all my heart that I cannot dream a more grandiose dream for my life than God has. Now, to actually live my life as if I am aware of that is a different story. I have said many times that when a man creates a tree out of nothing, I will put my trust in man and not in God, but I unfortunately fail to realize that I, as man, have not accomplished that which God has. Though I have not, I continually focus my efforts on what I feel will be best for my life through my eyes. Failing to heed my own advice, I bind God's hands and press on, following the path I feel confident taking. The path of least resistance, as it is often called. I tend to avoid the thought of being put into the refiners fire. The end result of that process is fantastic, but having the heat turned up under me raises a bit of fear inside me. In all of that, however, what rings more true than that passage? "For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal." Again I find myself falling into those hands, and again I find myself in awe of the loving attention to my life that God is giving. Indeed this is a test, but I find such peace in knowing that it is a blessed test.
In your own trials and tribulations, may you also find comfort in those words. For we are truly blessed to have a God who will, from time to time, put us through a test, but rest easy in knowing that if you allow him to be God, it will be The Blessed Test.
