COMFORT OFTEN BREEDS COMPLACENCY

I read this quote by C. S. Lewis the other day and have pondered on it since...  "The human spirit will not even begin to try to surrender 'self-will' as long as all seems to be well with it."

Again I am led to believe that for us (ME) to grow spiritually - we (I) must be moved from or forced out of our (MY) "Comfort Zone"!  In MY own life.... comfort seems to breed complacency!

It is in those difficult times in life that the Lord seems to reveal Himself most, because I have moved ME out of the way.  When I have come to a place of realizing I can do nothing... that is when God steps up and shows He is not only real... but that He is REAL TO ME!  It is in trials that my senses become keenly aware that He is working in my life.  

I am in no way advocating or desiring troubles to make me aware of His activity.  Let me make it completely clear:  I hate pain, I hate how it feels and what it does to me, to those I love and care for, and to others.  I detest the fact that life isn’t fair. I am frustrated that people who love God - must face the blows of life.  I am saddened to see all that is going on in the world around me today.  My heart breaks for friends and loved ones who are now going through loss, sickness, and heartache. 

When I am consumed with ‘SELF’ and take God out of the equation then there remains no purpose to all of it.  No purpose in the trials… no purpose in the pain... no purpose in the frustration... no purpose in the sadness... no purpose in the loss... no purpose in the heartache... no purpose in anything… just random suffering and agony without meaning.  When 'SELF' stands in the forefront... all I can do is ask WHY!

However, when I relinquish my ‘self-will’ and cling to His will, and put my faith and trust in Him… I BELIEVE!  I believe that there is a significant greater  purpose in  suffering, even though I may have no idea what it might be!  I don’t want to look back on life and see that I merely had a comfortable existence filled with apathy and complacency.  I want to look back and see that I have been in "the fire" for a reason.  I want somehow for every tear and every pain to be part of some inexplicable divine plan that my finite mind cannot fathom or comprehend in this lifetime.

The shuttles of His purpose move

To carry out His own design;
Seek not too soon to disapprove
His work, nor yet assign
Dark motives, when, with silent tread,
You view some somber fold;
For lo, within each darker thread
There twines a thread of gold.

  

(1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV)   "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know inpart; but then shall I know even as also I am known."