Maybe one day it will all make sense
A little while ago I was visiting with some friends. They were asking me questions that centered on my plans for the future. I had little to say. I felt like a loser because I figured they might see me as a failure… directionless in a world that says “achieve,” “set goals,” “store up treasures on earth,” “become somebody.”
Since I got married almost 7 years ago, I feel like my husband and I haven’t really set any long-term plans or goals. We have no retirement savings and nothing saved up for a down payment for a house. The most we have ever spent on a piece of furniture is… well, quite honestly, I can’t even think of a piece of furniture we have bought. Right now, we don’t even have our own place. We both turn 29 this year. What are we doing?! Where exactly are we going?
Four years ago, Glenn and I were leading a Bible Study at our church called “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God.” By the end of the study, we were announcing to our study group, friends, and family, that we felt God was calling us to move to Franklin, Tennessee, where Glenn would be joining the band, downhere. Four years later, we are still honoured to be a part of the downhere family, and still feel like we’re in the right place for now, even though we might look/feel like losers in an earthly sense, and even though the costs are sometimes great.
Months ago one of Glenn’s relatives, when he found out that Glenn was on the road again, told me that he thought Glenn should find another job and “take care of his family.” I wish I could have stood up for Glenn at the time, but I was quite stunned by the honesty. Glenn is doing this job because we feel that this is where God wants us right now… not because they think we’re chasing some silly dream, trying to be cool, or anything else. As the Bible study I mentioned earlier also pointed out, obedience is costly to you and those around you. We are fully aware of that truth. And we are trying our best to be content in our current circumstances, patient in the waiting, and we are trusting God for the future. Maybe one day it will all make sense.
Since I got married almost 7 years ago, I feel like my husband and I haven’t really set any long-term plans or goals. We have no retirement savings and nothing saved up for a down payment for a house. The most we have ever spent on a piece of furniture is… well, quite honestly, I can’t even think of a piece of furniture we have bought. Right now, we don’t even have our own place. We both turn 29 this year. What are we doing?! Where exactly are we going?
Four years ago, Glenn and I were leading a Bible Study at our church called “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God.” By the end of the study, we were announcing to our study group, friends, and family, that we felt God was calling us to move to Franklin, Tennessee, where Glenn would be joining the band, downhere. Four years later, we are still honoured to be a part of the downhere family, and still feel like we’re in the right place for now, even though we might look/feel like losers in an earthly sense, and even though the costs are sometimes great.
Months ago one of Glenn’s relatives, when he found out that Glenn was on the road again, told me that he thought Glenn should find another job and “take care of his family.” I wish I could have stood up for Glenn at the time, but I was quite stunned by the honesty. Glenn is doing this job because we feel that this is where God wants us right now… not because they think we’re chasing some silly dream, trying to be cool, or anything else. As the Bible study I mentioned earlier also pointed out, obedience is costly to you and those around you. We are fully aware of that truth. And we are trying our best to be content in our current circumstances, patient in the waiting, and we are trusting God for the future. Maybe one day it will all make sense.
posted by Sherri Lavender at
9:58 PM
3 Comments:
Sherri - your post today is just one example of how God is using you and Glenn to demonstrate so clearly the utter reliance we ALL have on God, whether or not we admit or recognize that truth. Stay strong, my sister. One day, you will stand before our Savior with a clear conscience, with no regrets because you know that followed Him faithfully.Is there any other success worth pursuing?
By
Jen @ de Jong Dream House, At
10:32 AM
one day it will all make sense. You are both wonderful people who have achieved so much!!! University and college graduates in a committed, loving marriage with a beautiful, healthy baby - a great support system of family and friends, each with many talents and gifts that you have each used well - you are both strong in your faith in God - you trust Him to guide you in all your decisions. Who cares about the other stuff? Its funny, people don't usually understand what really matters until disaster strips away from them all the things they trusted in. You already do understand what really matters, maybe because you don't have all those 'things' to trust in or hang yourself up on. All those things can be huge traps. .
I want to encourage you in your waiting! That Experiencing God study was life changing! We were discussing its impact on all of us just last week! Thanx for doing that study, Sherri and Glenn - that was an unforgettable time in all of our lives.
lots of love,
k
By
kathryn, At
10:43 AM
Hey Sherri!
Dave and I were having that same conversation just yesterday. Before I began working with downhere, I was offered a pretty sweet promotion, and Dave too, was offered a good paying job that would probably come with all sorts of benefits. I remember it being so easy to turn down because we both knew God wanted us to be a part of downhere's ministry. Now, about a year and a half later, we feel like we're still in the same place, not really going anywhere... (yet!!) But who's to judge that we're not going anywhere... ?
I thought your blog was so openly honest. That's what I really appreciate about you. !!
Hey if you need any new furniture, i'm going garage saleing tomorrow... woo hoo! (that's how we've got all our home furnishings...) :)
By
Jessica Lewis, At
3:23 PM
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