As I contemplate what “Being Heavenly Minded” has meant to me this past year, I wonder what your circumstances have been? Clearly God ordained all our steps (Ps.139, Prov.16:9, Dan.4:35, Rom.8).
This past year has been bitter-sweet. God continues to shepherd my deceitful, prideful heart. My heart constantly lies and tells me I’m a “good person.” One example of the pride in my heart is when my prayers are answered. This sin surfaced when a girl in my prayer group asked us to pray that she’d conceive. I diligently prayed for her daily. At month’s end, she was 5 weeks pregnant (which meant that one week before I began to pray – God had already set His plan in motion).
Point: He graciously allowed me to share in the joy of her pregnancy (answered prayer) while reminding me that life is not about me. He is able to humble those who walk in pride (Dan.4:37).
Jesus is so patient. He knows I have a lot of growing to do. This past August, I went to South Africa on a short term mission trip to praise God with children who don’t own even one pair of shoes. They were overflowing with the joy of their salvation regardless of their earthly circumstances. God gently lifted my eyes and heart toward heaven. The trip served as a great example of what really matters: where we’ll spend eternity and where we’re storing our treasures.
Another humbling experience was when I had to relinquish a relationship with a Christian man I wanted to marry. Realizing we won’t be married in heaven, I have to praise God that during this season of singleness, I am afforded a great opportunity to secure undistracted devotion to our Lord. 1 Cor.7:35
In addition to those experiences, my finances became extremely strained when I didn’t work for seven months because I had a ruptured disc in my neck. It caused excruciating pain and loss of control of my limbs. Steroids, morphine, and other drugs prescribed as preliminary treatment alternatives to surgery resulted in acne and hair loss. I couldn’t sit, drive or concentrate for extended periods. In May, I had surgery to replace that disc with a metal ball and socket. The surgery could have left me paralyzed. Praise God, it did not. My physical anguish forced me to long for heaven like never before. Nevertheless, all was momentary light affliction that produces for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen, are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor.4:17-18
Trials will inevitably come again and again. Will I be faithful to think on His goodness during these trials? And will I humbly accept that His glorious ways and thoughts are much higher than my own? Jesus did not tell Peter that Satan could not sift him. Instead, Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail when the trial came. We must not waiver in unbelief during those times of testing, but grow strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God has promised, He is able also to perform (Rom.4:20-21).
Through these trials, I have learned that the key is to keep my eyes on Jesus! He is sovereign and in control. He knows what’s best. I must fear God alone. I must thank Him for trials, embrace today’s gifts, and learn to long for heavenly things while sharing my testimony with others. I am utterly dependent on Jesus. I long for heaven much more because of my trials. They are for my good and His glory. He might humble you and He might test you, to do good for you in the end (Deut.8:16).
Wonderful blessings occurred this year… friends married, babies were born, people turned/ repented from sin, friends were saved, family from the 310 brought meals and prayed with me as I recovered from surgery, and many more prayers were answered as well. God is so merciful and kind! Absolutely every circumstance is used for His glory.
Most days, I don’t even feel like I had neck surgery. I’m off prescription drugs ~ Praise Jesus! Perseverance has made me more compassionate. My concern is for growth in holiness. You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt.5:48). All the while knowing that He is not a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Heb.4:15). He is faithful to complete the work He’s begun.
In the past, I spent my day focused on me. I prayed for outcomes that may not have been in His will. I now pray on behalf of my brothers and sisters while trusting God to meet my needs in His perfect plan. I am more focused on Jesus than ever before, resting in His sovereignty and counting my blessings. My hope is in His promise that no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Ps.84:11).
He has good news for us. It’s in His word. Christ already conquered death that believers might live. Halleluiah! May we grow in faithfulness to Him and surrender all.
- Patricia Brokenshire
Patricia,
The more I see you, the more I love you goes a line from a song. It sure is true in your love for Jesus and you exhort me to love Him more. Exhortation is surely one of your gifts and you bless me so much; I love to be in your presence and His.
Love,
deborah
I have known Patricia, for 13 years. Her heart for the Lord has always been true, but In her assorted trials, her heart has grown and so often matches the beat of our Savior. Her knowledge of scripture demonstrates the power of a the Word, is sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
She is a blessing to all she meets and especially to her young students. A powerful life lived humbly before her Lord.