Thursday, November 8, 2007

Platforms

There is this scene in the movie, Evan Almighty, where Morgan Freeman, who plays the character of God, is giving advice (if you will) to someone. He says that if someone prays and asks for courage that God gives the person an opportunity to be courageous rather than giving courage. In the same way that someone asks for them to be closer to their family, God doesn't give warm fuzzy feelings, but rather opportunities for the family to be closer.
As I've thought about my struggle through motherhood and grown in my understanding of it, I've realized that all these "struggles" or "trials" are really opportunities or what I now think of as "platforms" for God to be revealed.
I plugged this new word into the verse in James where we are to consider the various trials as pure joy. I now say that we are to consider our platforms as pure joy. Platforms for God to perform His Patience, His Strength, His Peace through our very lives. Others are watching. They may see God for the first time on such platforms!

6 comments:

Dina said...

I just wanted to say that I love your blog! Your daughters are beautiful!! Funny, I thought I wanted a boy, but God KNEW I needed a girl...and my only regret, is I wish I had started earlier to have more little girls !!!! Glad you have 3!!

Stacey said...

Hi, Rachel -
Thanks for your comments!

In our pastor's sermon, this morning, he said that God uses the wicked to sanctify the saints. I'm not sure I will ever think so in the midst of adversity, but it seems to take the sting out of trials, to know our Father is just using it for our good!

It's good that you are applying this to your life. I am trying to apply it to mine, as well.

Amber said...

oh thanks,i must say i love my background too :) i was so excited when i found it! and it definitely sounds like we have a lot in common. i appreciate the honesty on your blog!

Angela Baylis said...

What a great post, Rachel! I always have to pray for more of His Spirit to invade me! I love how you put that... on platforms! He is amazing you are right when you say that others are watching! What a great reminder.
Love,
Angie xoxo

Emily said...

hey girl! so true what you wrote! We learned in 1 Peter that some of the treasures we receive from God are not possible without suffering and trials. So yes, count it all joy! Miss you. I don't think I told you, I took out my nose ring! I miss it! I felt like it might not be the best thing to have while teaching right now. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but I didn't know where the parents might be coming from and I don't know, I just thought it was the right thing for me to do. If I don't go back next year I will probably get it done again!

Karen Hossink said...

Platforms.
I like it!
Opportunities for him to SHINE!!!