Stuck In The Mud

At our last small group, we discussed the seasons of our lives. I felt pretty sure we were in winter...for what seems like forever, cold and stagnant..waiting for spring to arrive and bring us something new. Now, I don't know.

Here in NIL, we are in this cruddy in between...Mud Season. Its not freezing, there's no snow, but everything is wet and brown. The dogs and the kids track in mud, my allergies are kicking my butt. Its kind of a cruel joke to have warmth finally, but not the lovely green grass or spring flowers yet. In fact, winter could rear one last ditch effort...we're in spring limbo! (Now THAT'S my season!) We're stuck in mud, rehashing the same thing day in, day out...its like living out that Bill Murray movie Groundhog's Day.

I was studying this morning and God really opened my eyes..so be patient while I work this out...hopefully someone will glean something from this too...hopefully.

Hebrews 10: 32, 35-36

Remember your earlier days after you received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering...

So do not throw away your confidence, it will richly be rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

What is it about those earlier days, when you could conquer the world in a single bound? And now after getting a bit beat up, your cape is tattered, your burdens are heavy...but you still believe and you still carry on, just slower and not as much pep in the step. How do You get back to your earlier faith?

Here's my big V8 smack for the day (or minute, depends on how much learnin' I need today!):

-persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

I know this is speaking eternally and by no means am I a theological scholar, but what if I've been looking at this all wrong? I deeply believe that God has called us to do certain things, he has given us dreams and talents..but nothing ever works out to fulfill this dream. I've been going about this whole conundrum as not being in the will of God until we reach point B.

What if God's will for us isn't the dream?

What if the dream is the Promise?

What if God's will is the trials and affliction to mold us into what we need to fully receive the Promise?

What if God's will isn't the destination, but the journey?

Hmmmm....maybe this isn't new, maybe you all are thinking "duh, Shelly!"...but, maybe someone out there just received the same message. I read somewhere today a Beth Moore quote (and I can't remember it completely..so if I butcher it, Beth M. Said it better): God doesn't allow us to be wounded to hurt us, but to heal us....another aha moment?

So, I'm still working this out, but maybe I'll start trying to look at this season less like a band aid that I want quickly ripped off and more like a cast that is slowly mending and healing.

Here's a happy thought to leave you with:

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.