What is it that I need?
God knows.
When I am faced with difficulty, I find that I become quiet and think a great many thoughts.
While there is nothing wrong with thinking, I often do not share my concerns readily by confiding with a friend who could give wise counsel. I am pleased to say that I have gotten better in this respect over the last couple of years. Much is to be gained by bearing each others burdens.
God knew that I needed to talk a couple of days ago.
I wasnt calling anyone on the phone. I wasnt visiting.
So God had someone call me. They felt that they should check on me.
It was good to feel the freedom to express some of my concerns.
Did I need anything else?
The mail came. Another friend, who is a pastors wife, sent me a cd of one of her husbands sermons.
She had thought of me as he was speaking.
He talked about love, the knowledge and understanding of God and how to deal with the "bad" things that happen in our lives.
A statement he made as he recounted an Old Testament story jumped out in prominence.
In describing an emotional scene of forgiveness, he said, "He was completely overwhelmed and consumed with the opportunity to love."
Overwhelmed and consumed. Completely. No room for anything else except love.
Yes, I needed to be reminded of love. I had also needed to talk to a friend.
I needed to consider, once again, Gods work in my life.
Thats what I needed.
God knew.
This is my prayer for you:
that your love will grow more and more;
that you will have knowledge
and understanding with your love;
that you will see the difference between
good and bad and will choose the good;
that you will be pure
and without wrong
for the coming of Christ;
that you will be filled with the good things
produced in your life by Christ to bring glory
and praise to God.
Philipians 1:9-11
