"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
- Philippians 2:13
After recently working at a homeschool convention in Sandusky, Ohio... I came home feeling different. It's how I usually feel after a trip. I am stretched and changed when placed in new environments and situations; I believe travel is one of the ways God works in me. For example, this time around I felt like I became a student of humility, teamwork, and trust just because of some of the circumstances experienced during the convention weekend.
In thinking more about how travel affects me, I began considering the different ways that God employs to teach His people. It's been argued (in my hearing) that you don't truly learn unless you've suffered long and hard. It's been argued that you won't know God's character unless you've basically been through hell on earth.
I understand that the soul wrenching moments in life will shape you like nothing else. I've been through some scary ones myself. But, in my opinion, it's often very relative to the personality of the individual. There are some who are wired to need a more significant life change in order to grasp something. Others need the passage of time. And often, it's true, God may need to lead someone through suffering before they learn the lesson He's trying to teach. But, there are those who will be changed by the whisper of an idea from God, and that can come by most any means.
In my case, my life has been changed, my heart shifted, because of watching YouTube videos, seeing a movie, reading a blog post, attending a webinar. I'm not exaggerating. There have been tears, my personality has changed, I have felt God's grace in incredibly real ways from things that were technically painless. And that's a reality.
The point of this post is more or less to ask you what ways you feel God employs to tug on your heartstrings? How sensitive are you to lessons? What off-the-wall or mundane things has He used to get your attention and reveal His character to you? And did He whisper or shout? Care to share?
-Song
Beautiful post, Anna! I love how God can speak to us through things such as videos, blog posts, and interactions online. I have learned so much about God and who He is by hearing other people's experiences with how He has moved in their lives. I've realized some things about this past year, certain feelings I brushed off that I should have payed more attention to. I have a peace that God does and will always take care of me, but also that I need to listen when He's trying to tell me something. I think this past year, me having such a difficult time in my job, was Him "shouting" that there is something else out there. Something more me, where I will be able to serve Him better. :)
ReplyDeleteI love hearing your thoughts, Jenna! Thanks for taking the time to share them! It's a beautiful thing when God gets our attention, no matter what means he uses. I think of it as another way in which he's creative. :) He knows exactly what we need to hear, see or experience in order to understand. I know God's got amazing plans for you! I can't wait to hear more about the "something else out there" in the future. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Anna! I think this just speaks to the infinite ways God can speak to us and teach us lessons. I also hear His voice through the little moments of the day, whether that is a blog post, a tweet, a song, a relaxing moment on the porch, a run through my neighborhood, etc. I also think the big things are important. Struggles and moments of pure joy are great teachers too. I also love reflecting on the past and seeing how time gives experiences new meaning. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's just a great reminder to be open and on the lookout to what God is teaching us at every moment. I feel so blessed by this post!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for those words, Gina! You're so encouraging! I'm happy to hear that this topic resonated with you! You're right, there are so many little and big ways that the Lord uses to speak. Often we just have to be looking for them! :) And I enjoy reflecting on the past, too. Hindsight is 20/20, and there are so many "ebenezers" to look back on and remember what God has done. :)
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