Dec. 10

Read 2 Corinthians 7

And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. (The Message)

There are many things in my life that I would not like to do over. There are plenty of experiences that were not fun at the time and seem to have no redeeming value in and of themselves that I and those close to me have gone through. I don't blame God for any of them but I know now that God was there in the midst of them all. Because of the life I've lived I've been drawn close to a living God who is there in the midst of all things both good and bad. Paul recognizes the ways in which the trials of life invite us to turn toward God and learn things that we would never learn if we could make it on our own. This is a learning that does not come easily or quickly but once you learn it life itself seems to change dramatically. It is to bad that you can't learn this lesson from books or wise teachers. The only way I know to learn this lesson is to spend time reflecting upon your life. By reflecting upon the way you have allowed the events of your life to impact how you laugh, love, and learn you can begin to see the presence of God in the midst of it all. 

Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:

• How do you think the Corinthians felt when they first heard Paul say how wonderful it was that they had undergone the pain that they had experienced?
• What do you think makes a person fully alive?
• What is the hardest thing that you have ever faced but now wouldn't give it up because of what you learned or how you grew in the midst of it?
• What difficult thing are you facing now that you might be able to look at as an opportunity to grow closer to God as a result of? What can you do to help you keep your focus upon growing closer to God during this time?