"What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God." Lk. 18:27
“I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 5 different times the Jews gave me 39 lashes. 3 times I was beaten with rods. 1x I was stoned. 3x I was shipwrecked. 1x I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled many weary miles.... faced danger from flooded rivers, from robbers...from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles....I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, on the stormy seas....and from men who claim to be Christians but are not. I have lived with weariness, pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.” Apostle Paul 2Cor.11:23-27
We read this list of trials and wonder, Paul, how in this world did you keep going?
How did you, a flesh and blood dude keep like me, keep your sanity much less your focus and purpose amidst all these obstacles? ~Because you were “super-human”, blessed by God in ways I’m not, with super-human faith, super-human strength, super-human even-keeled emotion, and a super-human tie to the spiritual world? NO. NOT. NADDA.
Paul’s strength, tenacity, and focus came from Paul’s vibrant relationship with and his utter dependence on the God of the Universe. ~And as Paul leaned into God (Prv. 3:5-6), the Holy Spirit worked His purpose and perspective into every cell and every thought of Paul’s compliant body and mind.
~Recently someone dear to us underwent critical surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center, a facility which services our military, including our nation’s wounded warriors. During his stay, this man witnessed a particularly appealing feature in the atmosphere of this facility: Despite grave injuries, the perspectives of patients and professionals are purposeful and positive. For instance, if a patient is ‘merely missing just one appendage’, it is referred to as merely a “paper-cut”, and the question soldiers are asking is not of what will I do with my life now, but what can I do to get out of this hospital and get back to my purpose ASAP? (~Missing a leg/arm, merely a paper-cut? Now, this is perspective.)
One such former patient, Capt. Scotty Smiley, a West Point graduate, Army Ranger, husband and father was blinded on April 6, 2005 when a suicide bomber blew his world apart. And in the months that followed, Scotty and wife Tiffany’s faith was tested to its core.
But thankfully, what Satan meant to destroy, God raised up. And long inspirational story short, Scotty Smiley’s influence for Christ now impacts 1000’s worldwide and his inspirational book, Hope Unseen, is stirs the heart. As the Army’s 1st active-duty blind officer, its 1st blind company commander, Scotty now commands the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point’s Keller Army Medical Center. Plus, he’s surfed in Hawaii, skied in Vail, climbed Mt. Rainer, etc....a regular adventure-stricken guy! ~This man chose to look at his injury as ‘merely a paper-cut’ and move on with the purpose God created him for.
How about us? Our circumstances may or may not be to the extent of Paul’s or Scotty’s, but God’s desires for us are no less.
“So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do...let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” Eph. 5:15-18
God bless you!
Shaun and Betsy
We read this list of trials and wonder, Paul, how in this world did you keep going?
How did you, a flesh and blood dude keep like me, keep your sanity much less your focus and purpose amidst all these obstacles? ~Because you were “super-human”, blessed by God in ways I’m not, with super-human faith, super-human strength, super-human even-keeled emotion, and a super-human tie to the spiritual world? NO. NOT. NADDA.
Paul’s strength, tenacity, and focus came from Paul’s vibrant relationship with and his utter dependence on the God of the Universe. ~And as Paul leaned into God (Prv. 3:5-6), the Holy Spirit worked His purpose and perspective into every cell and every thought of Paul’s compliant body and mind.
~Recently someone dear to us underwent critical surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center, a facility which services our military, including our nation’s wounded warriors. During his stay, this man witnessed a particularly appealing feature in the atmosphere of this facility: Despite grave injuries, the perspectives of patients and professionals are purposeful and positive. For instance, if a patient is ‘merely missing just one appendage’, it is referred to as merely a “paper-cut”, and the question soldiers are asking is not of what will I do with my life now, but what can I do to get out of this hospital and get back to my purpose ASAP? (~Missing a leg/arm, merely a paper-cut? Now, this is perspective.)
One such former patient, Capt. Scotty Smiley, a West Point graduate, Army Ranger, husband and father was blinded on April 6, 2005 when a suicide bomber blew his world apart. And in the months that followed, Scotty and wife Tiffany’s faith was tested to its core.
But thankfully, what Satan meant to destroy, God raised up. And long inspirational story short, Scotty Smiley’s influence for Christ now impacts 1000’s worldwide and his inspirational book, Hope Unseen, is stirs the heart. As the Army’s 1st active-duty blind officer, its 1st blind company commander, Scotty now commands the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point’s Keller Army Medical Center. Plus, he’s surfed in Hawaii, skied in Vail, climbed Mt. Rainer, etc....a regular adventure-stricken guy! ~This man chose to look at his injury as ‘merely a paper-cut’ and move on with the purpose God created him for.
How about us? Our circumstances may or may not be to the extent of Paul’s or Scotty’s, but God’s desires for us are no less.
“So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do...let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” Eph. 5:15-18
God bless you!
Shaun and Betsy
