Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Faith is not frownless


This past Sunday I had the great privilege of launching a brand new series at MKCC - Plan B. We have based it on the book by Pete Wilson - Plan B - What do you do when God doesn't show up the way you though he would?

Whilst preparing I came across this quote by C H Spurgeon:


"Faith is not frownless. Maturity is not painless. It is the presence of Jesus and not the absence of happiness that designates the situation and provides our hope."

Spurgeon's observation sits much more comfortably with my understanding of scripture and my experience that what is taught in many churches.

Trouble is somehow associated with some sort of lack on my behalf and if only I was a better Christian I wouldn't have the trouble. If only I read my Bible more the trouble would go away. If only I prayed more the trouble would go away. If only I had more faith the trouble would go away.

My problem with all this is that it makes it all about me and what I have to do rather than what Christ has already done.

Sometimes my faith has the frown of concern and even disbelief.
Sometimes I feel like opting out of this transforming process of sanctification where I am supposed to be becoming more like Jesus inch by painful inch.
But then I am reminded that no matter how weak my faith is or how painful my growth in the middle of this deal I get JESUS.

"..be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." - Heb 13 v 5

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