In the next few days I will begin writing, hopefully, co-writing, with David Edwards some reflections of the last two to three months and how he and I are now one, in a way.
However, I thought tonight I would convey a series of progressions that is on the forefront of my heart and that is where I live best.
The last several weeks I have been picking up and putting down the latest book by John Ramsey entitled The Other Side of Suffering. It is his side of the story of what happened in the JonBenet Ramsey murder, but, it is also, maybe more so, how he survived a sixteen year old daughter being killed in a car wreck, a six year old being murdered, his wife dying and his reputation and his life being slaughtered by the press.
I enjoy reading of suffering, because if God is involved, the suffering gives way to hope.
Can not explain it, just know it.
In this book, which is part of my Christmas present, I was sitting in a parking lot in Morrow, Georgia, last night, just cracked the book and the first page has a quote by Charles Spurgeon.
Somehow, Charles Spurgeon, only says profound things.
“Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous suffering.”
I read that and knew that would be a quote I would use and use often and probably soon.
I was nine pages into the book and I received a text from a friend who is going through a very long period of trials. In the text he expressed that he may never find hope again.
God has such a sense of timing.
I texted back to him where I was, what I was doing right then and included the Spurgeon quote.
At the end of the quote I wrote, “There is hope in there somewhere.”
I have never been more aware of a design for my life than I am at this point. Those trials that I have been through in life, especially those since December 20, 2010, have opened up a world of opportunity for me to speak of God’s goodness, of his mercy, of his grace and to hopefully encourage people to give beyond what they believe to be capable.
“Those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” I Peter 4:19
Entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.
What a beautiful statement.
JHH
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