“We would all love a roadmap of our life with Jesus that shows us exactly what will happen. But that isn’t what we’re offered. . . . The roadmap we do have tells us clearly that our call is to draw near to him in every season of the soul. . . . It is tempting to replace that with sophisticated-sounding ways to grow, when the reality is that we just need to abide in him.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”- John 15:4 (ESV)
Kyle Strobel and John Coe conclude Chapter 3 of When God Seems Distant as they discuss a roadmap of faith. Most significantly, the ways we avoid Jesus blind us to this reality. That we just need to abide in Jesus. In addition, this factor makes the desert and desolation so important, but also so difficult. The Lord uses them to reveal places in our lives that need transformation. However, we interpret them as things we must escape or fix.
Above all, Kyle and John stress, in these seasons the Lord determines the method He uses to test our hearts. Therefore, our goal centers on seeking to abide in Christ in all things. Not to figure out what season we are in. Because the Lord never hides our call from us. Instead, through our calling, we offer ourselves to the Lord. Wherever He places us.
Finally, Kyle and John counsel:
“In these seasons with the Lord we are learning that he is what we truly long for and that all our desires point to him. In these seasons we are learning that we were not merely saved from something — sin — but were saved to someone — to God himself — and are to abide in him.”
Today’s question: When do we tend to want a roadmap of our life with Jesus? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A spirituality divorced from reality”