“And [God] will use that suffering to shape us, mold us, and make us even better prepared for our purpose if we throw off what hinders us, stay free of the entanglements of sin, and persevere by keeping our eyes on Jesus. When we are afflicted, we are being made more effective.”- Lysa TerKeurst
“Because [Jesus[ never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way.”- Hebrews 12:2 (The Message)
Lysa TerKeurst concludes Chapter 8 of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. She describes the final thing we must do in order to run free.
3. Persevering by keeping our eyes on Jesus. As Ms. TerKeurst observes, Jesus lived the steadfast life so that we could know it. As Eugene Peterson paraphrases in The Message, Jesus kept his eyes on His ultimate goal. Thus, that’s why we need to fix our eyes on Jesus. And we must go over His story — the Bible — over and over.
As a result, we face hurt, disappointment, and longsuffering, yet still run our race with peace filling our minds and joy filling our hearts. We accept reality, but live reassured in God’s promises.
Finally, Lysa observes, God loves the delicately beautiful parts of you, but He doesn’t want you to be fragile. Also, God made you to show strength. However, that strength shouldn’t make you hard – unable for God to mold. Most noteworthy, God wants you like clay. To mold you and re-form you into the purpose He has for you. And you only do this as you keep your eyes on Jesus.
So, Ms. TerKeurst concludes, keeping your eyes on the Lord makes your burden light. Then, the Lord takes your burden and uses it as light!
Today’s question: How has God used what’s afflicted you to make you more effective? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Inside our unsettled disappointment”
