The Best of What's Around

Just listened to "Cling to You," by Trip Lee for the 2nd time. I can't begin to explain the "hardships" that have hit my life. I don't care to, because there's nothing I can do to overcome these things. Only God can choose to relieve these things, or (and here's the kicker)not relieve them. The problem with the idea that God is glorified when we are financially stable, not struggling with ______, etc., is that it never says that in His Word. Listening to this song reminds me that God is most glorified when we are satisfied in Him. That means that even when we hit hard times, we lay all of these things down and trust that God will take care of us. And this is either by removing these hardships or not.

"God's universe isn't centered around us and our comfort. So, He may get glory out of it if it actually doesn't get better. But the point is that God gets the glory." -Trip Lee

So I urge you, take hold of the gift that God offers. This may require your life here on earth to be in complete shambles, but that's for God to decide.

Luke 18:18-30
The Rich Ruler

18 u And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to v inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: w ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, x “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. y Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have z treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 a But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, b “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter c the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter c the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, d “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, e we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, f there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers [2] or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive g many times more h in this time, and in i the age to come eternal life.”

In the end, God will receive the glory. Our victory is not found in relief from our troubles, but rather in the cross. Jesus died on the cross so that the victory is already won. All he demands is that we take up OUR cross daily and follow him. Taking up our cross requires us to lay everything else down at His feet.