“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. ” John 17:20-22 NLT
The little girl stood in the middle of the grocery aisle, arms on hips, staring up at her mother with a frown big enough to encompass a rainbow. “I want it, Mommy! I want it now!”
When Mommy said “no dear it’s not on our list.” the child went into histrionics right there in the grocery store. The mother looked at me apologetically as she took the child by the hand and led her from the store still screaming the blues. I went on shopping, barely phased by the incident, after all it happens all the time and not just with children. Adults who ought to know better get derailed and pouty in life all the time because things don’t go their way. I do it for Heaven’s sake!
BUT WHY? That is the $25,000.00 question today.
A part of the answer lies in our cultural proclivity to look only at the moment when we should be looking to the future…our future…and the future of the ones who come behind us. Too often we are willing to trade a solid future for the “quick-fix” alternative, because the solid future is approached by a harder road.
Jesus looked not just at himself or even at his twelve disciples when He prayed in John 17. He looked to all the generations ahead who would believe the message his disciples would preach. It was this attitude of futurtude that gave him the fortitude to endure the solitude of the cross.
The writer to the Hebrews encourages us to this same “futurtude” when he says“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2 NIV
We have choices in life. We can be like Veruca, the character in Willy Wonka. saying “I want an OomaLoompa Daddy! And I want it now!”
OR
We can be like Jesus thinking not of ourselves or what our current circumstances will do for us. We can choose to ask God how where we are right now will bless others.
Jesus prayed that what He was about to walk through would bless people on the Earth yet unborn. It did!
Why not follow suit?Ask yourself how what you face right now might be used by God to bless others and pray that into being!
Reinventing the We'll 
Pastor J,
Your blog seems to be just what I need at the moment I need it. Thank you.
Debby
Debby, You are most welcome. I am glad I can be an encouragement!
Thanks Pastor J
“Ask yourself how what you face right now might be used by God to bless others and pray that into being!”
Would be happy if thou wouldst step back off my toes … thanky 🙂
“We have choices in life… ”
I think you were a fly on the wall while my sister and I chatted yesterday. Walking through the wilderness is never a welcome chapter in my book but I walk through because I must. I cannot live there so I must trust Him to take me through.
How might He use this to bless others? I think He could use this to His glory. I am not keen on going back on the threshing floor but I choose to let Him lead me… even in the difficult places.
Blessings much to you and yours. May He continue to order our steps.
ann
I am with you Ann. This Valley of the Shadow that we all have to pass through is indeed a difficult place but realizing it can be used to build His kingdom does bring the sacrifice and the pain into a different light. For me knowing it is not a waste, that God will somehow redeem the time spent in pain, makes all the difference. Praying that your steps will be strengthened as you walk!
Wow, Pastor J. You put it all in a better perspective for me, taking what ever we are going through to a whole other level. Thank you! God bless you and how He is blessing others through you.
Thanks Debbie! God I sense is preparing His bride for something new! We need to encourage one another in this process continually. Thanks for your supportive words.
Hello Pastor J,
Thank you for the encouragement to pray that God would help someone else, to make lemonade out of my lemons! It was an excellent message, indeed! May God continue to bless you!
Paulette
Paulette, I have been learning a lot about making the lemonade lately! It’s not always the easiest thing in the world I’ll grant….But it does bring a great blessing from God! Thanks for your encouraging comment!