All posts tagged suffering

wheat chaffe blowing in the wind

Shattered on the Threshing Floor

The Christian faith teaches us that we are all broken beyond repair.  Despite the fact that many of us can manage to appear unbroken on the outside, if we are honest we will admit that there is something inside of us that needs fixing.  This is the grand façade.  It is the mask constructed of our feeble attempts to be good when we know that our goodness only goes so deep.

We are fascinated by public leaders and politicians that seem “good” but given the right circumstances, pressures, and temptations the façade crumbles and brokenness is revealed lurking there just beneath the surface.  With hand to mouth we gasp in shock at their behavior, but on a deep, secret level we are afraid that something of what has bitten them has also bitten us.

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The Difference Between Trial and Adventure

father-handStanding in the surf today with my 2 year old son, a small wave came along.  The wave was no higher than my calf, but to him it seemed life threatening.  He reached up and grabbed my hand and the wave splashed on by.

I could see that, for the first time, he had realized that the beach was not just fun, but dangerous as well.  After that, he has not been willing to stand in the ocean without holding my hand.  Eventually, I know that he will learn to play in the ocean without holding on to my hand but until then I’m happy standing there to make him more secure.

What’s interesting is that when I’m holding his hand the danger of the waves is exciting and thrilling.  When I’m not holding his hand, the waves are scary and threatening.

I wonder if this could be how it is with God.  Maybe the difference between a trial and an adventure is whether or not we are holding the Father’s hand or wrestling away from Him in self-reliance?