Purpose

as the clay is in the potter’s hand,

so are you in My hand

Jeremiah 18:6

For I know the thoughts

that I think toward you, says the LORD,

thoughts of peace and not of evil,

to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Patience

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

But let patience have its perfect work,

that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4

 

Therefore be patient, brethren,

until the coming of the Lord.

See how the farmer waits
for the precious fruit of the earth,

waiting patiently for it until it receives
the early and latter rain.

You also be patient.

James 5:7-8

Producing Character

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present,

but painful. Nevertheless, afterward it yields

the peaceable fruit of righteousness

to those who have been trained by it.

Heb 12:11

Proven by God - Joseph

He sent a man before them -

Joseph - who was sold as a slave.

They hurt his feet with fetters,

He was laid in irons.

Until the time that his word came to pass,

The word of the LORD tested him.

Psalm 105:17-19

 

Patience, process and purpose are the three streams which flow into God’s plan to perfect us. Joseph was sold to Potiphar’s house by his brothers, then thrown into prison and then, remarkably, assigned a chief position in Pharaoh’s palace. He didn’t throw himself a pity party (well, okay, he was human so maybe he did once in a while). He didn’t turn against God in a fit of passion. He didn’t stop pursuing God nor did he let go of the dreams God had given him; and even in the midst of all his bitter experiences (which stretched on for years), he remained compassionate towards his fellowman, encouraging the downhearted, remaining a perfectly polite gentleman even amongst a bunch of ruffian prisoners.

Joseph was an outstanding personality of great character. Like his coat of many colours, Joseph developed into a multi-dimensional individual who met life’s perplexity with unusual poise. He walked in faith, courage, compassion, righteousness, purity and perseverance. His soul was coloured with all the qualities that impress God. He may have felt as if he was spinning on the same spot, going nowhere, when in fact he was spiraling upwards, moving resolutely to the place God has pre-destined for him. Life took him on a roller-coaster ride with deep dives, scary bends and heart-pounding action. In the end, he emerged a refined product, fit to be Egypt’s second-in-command. From his life, we learn that:

• God rewards those who remain faithful despite life’s surprises

• Life’s suprises do not surprise God

• God’s plans for us are “yeah and amen” – sure to happen

• God is always after one thing – producing character

• Sometimes big purpose means meeting big problems

• God is as present in the pit as He is in the palace

• Our spiritual posture and perspective pen our tale’s end

• God allows imperfect situations to prove and perfect us

Joseph had an unusually tough life, but it built toughness inside of Him. He was not crushed by the pressure of His outward circumstances because His faith in God created a natural buffer against them. In the end Joseph was richly rewarded because, though life is not fair God is always just. The process to perfection may mean passing through perplexity and sorrow, but in the end it takes us to the peaks of personal refinement and pleasant rest in God’s perfect peace, pleasure and purpose. Joseph’s coat of many colours was a picture of God’s favour promising to prove and promote. His tale ended in a rainbow arching into a golden pot of joy and rich reward.

The Butterfly

The Butterfly

When I was young

I had not a care in the world

Life was leafy, life was peachy

I was young then

 

But darkness came

New seasons spun me into a cocoon

It was scary, it was teary

It was dark then

In that night time

I looked and found hope in my God

He was faithful, I was grateful

In the night time

In that cocoon

I truly discovered who I am

I could sing, I grew wings

It was a safe place

I shed my youth

A new creature gently unfolding

In a new day, with a new name

O, I am lovely

I drink new wine

Dancing flower to flower

Nectar sweet, springtime fields

Now vintage moments

In perfect time

I flutter giddy in bright colour

Joy takes to flight, O what a sight!

Perfect beauty

O what a sight!

See joy in flight!

His time is perfect!

©NnekaEdwards2010

The Beauty of Perfection

What I love about perfection is that it’s stress-free. I didn’t really understand that until I went to Japan. One day when I was lying on my bed talking to God, I expressed some pent up frustration, “God, I want to be perfect like You, but goodness! I can’t quite seem to make the grade!” Then the Holy G stirred my spirit with a thought that was absolutely encouraging. I sensed Him saying, “Your idea of perfection and God’s idea of perfection are completely different. You attach perfection to work, but for me perfection is all about effort. All that I require of you is your best effort or perfect effort.” That was a thought that really warmed my heart because it meant that I could do my very best and perhaps not quite get things right, and still find that God is perfectly pleased with me. That’s a really kind way of looking at things. God’s sense of perfection is a lovely blend of expectation mixed with kindness and mercy. His idea of perfection favours process and progress; as long as the choices we make make us more like Him; and if we mess up at all, all He wants to know is that we re-trace our steps and give it another go. In God’s view the process is just as important as the product. So, in God, perfection is perfectly possible. Selah!

Pen to Paper

A great way to record, track and document your process is through journaling. Put pen to paper to jot down your ups and down, and you might be surprised how much there is to celebrate in each season of your life, whether it be winter, spring, summer or fall. You can buy a beautifully-designed diary or even a scrapbook; and if you like doodling you can even document your days with a bit of artistic expression and exploration. You can journal in God’s Word – what God whispers to you. You can scribble in small joys – the lovely moments that sweeten your day. You can pour out your soul – the tears, the fears and cares that come pre-packaged with life. You can memorialise milestones – those special events that mark momentous stages of your journey. As you flip through the pages you will see patterns you may have forgotten and promises that may have faded in your memory. A journal is a wonderful way to remember where you’ve come from and to be encouraged and inspired by where God is taking you. So, put pen to paper!

Joie Journal: Ocean Currents

Dear Diary,

I have sometimes felt as if I fell out of a coconut tree, as we like to say in Trinidad. Sometimes God can seem quite far away. Yet, when I look back, I can see that the currents of life are taking me somewhere. One minute I may feel as if I’m bobbing aimlessly on the ocean, and then an undercurrent begins to carry me in a distinct direction. That’s God steering me towards a harbor. I know this somewhere in my heart, and it anchors me. My trust in God anchors my hope way down deep where it is still and where the storms of life cannot move me. God’s very breath fills my sails and takes me to a safe place. His Word is my compass. His Word is my navigator. His Word is my travel map. I am voyaging with the Admiral at the helm.

I meet people all the time who have no sense of the grandiosity of purpose; who simply live for the next thrill – another party, another bottoms-up, another chance to experiment and take their own life into their own hands – to walk their own plank to the bottomless deep. Why would I want to live like that? Why would anyone want to live like that? … when there are majestic oceans to be explored, sunken treasures to be discovered, grand adventures to be had and limitless possibilities to live through. Knowing God is all of that - a vastly beautiful experience. Sometimes being God’s vessel means tears and sorrow, and sometimes it means joy indescribable. Sometimes I weep, sometimes I laugh, and sometimes I do both all at the same time; but one thing I am certain of … there’s no other place I’d want to be. I can’t wait to see what lies beyond the horizon!

Purposing in My Heart

O Lord, I worship and praise you – the joy of my life and the treasure of my heart! I know you have a design for my life and for that I thank you. Things may not always go as I would like, but I still trust you. I will always trust you no matter what. I cast myself upon you like a babe resting in his mother’s arms. I know that, like a good parent, You will nurture me and protect me. I know that You may sometimes need to set me straight about some things. I accept your steering God. I will always obey you, and even if I veer off course, I will find your currents again! But, still, I plan on keeping a straight course. I anchor myself in your promises. I rest in your truth. I want to know how this tale is going to end and what lies beyond. I set my heart to follow you all the days of my life. Circumstances will not move me. Be my compass. Steer me through the oceans of life, and help me to navigate the tricky places I may come to. Cause me to know your design for my life and to know my horizon even before I arrive there. I love you God; unabashedly so. Take me to places I would have never dreamed of. Fill my days with who You are. Be my harbour of comfort and rest! I worship you, Lord! I will always trust you!