Thoughts for another day

March 15, 2013.

Today's verse: Heb. 12:11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Have you ever been tested by God?  Severely?  Perhaps, some may say yes, but I tell you, very few are tested that way.  Most of us are tested mildly and that’s simply because our trove of faith is so shallow, that a greater test might break us and God our loving Father as we know, never tests us beyond the bounds of our endurance.   Still, there’re some people who’re severely tested by God.  I know of a man who preaches at a famous retreat center in India.  His life is an example of the harsh testing God can give– severe and merciless, yet at the same time, sanguine.   If I remember correctly, he was a nuclear scientist and he had two sons who were both walking up the alley of death early on in life and later succumbed to their ailments.  Even his wife died leaving him to tend after one of his sons, by himself, what with his busy schedules that left him hardly any time.  But, he endured the severity that destiny allotted to him, rather gracefully.

The great thing about the man is his approach to life.  I remember him smiling and talking about his life, his family and his travails to a shocked and visibly shaken audience; yet I could see his faith –rock solid and sure.  I believe our Scripture today is about understanding the lives of such people, who harbor in their hearts, a peace that passes all understanding despite being in the midst of a fierce storm.  Come on, how can you understand the calm of a man, who’s lost his all in life and still graciously accepts it as God’s will!

My friend, I really admire those who’re firm in their faith.  They’re an inspiration to us who’re not picked by God to show how much we can bear what He gives us – even if it’s painful.  And I know, no trial at the moment one is going through it, is good or enjoyable.  But meekly surrendering to the trial and taking it as God’s will for our lives is an act of positively accepting God and His ways.  In this God will account to that person, righteousness; for believing in Him despite all odds I reckon is the zenith of union with Him.  The one, who’s able to do this, will sure meet Him someday beyond the river.