Unshakable Faith

Today is a tough day in the Youell household.  A very dear and long beloved friend is fighting for her life today.  All medical options have been explored and no physical help is left to save her life.  Her spirit is so strong.  Her faith is so solid.  Her hope is so secure.  It's simply inspiring.

This forces a question to the surface that comes every time we face this type of situation.  What is death?

In a very basic sense it is the transition between the life we have know to the life that is yet to be known.  It is the goal of all who serve the way of the Master - to experience the union of our spirits with the one who gave us life.  This truth underscores the "hope of our faith."  And yet, when faced with circumstances like the dying of a friend and believer, one must come to grips again with the faith that we profess.

The other week I shared the story of the 3 Hebrew children who were thrown in the fire.  I was captivated and briefly hit on the fact that their response to King Nebi was that their God was able to save them.  That is where I am.  I know God can do what ever He wants to do.  The strain is when I realize it's not really His will I am asking for - but for mine to be realized.

The Hebrew kids were somewhere else though.  They were on another level of trust that I long to reach.  They said in Daniel 3:18, "But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."  Did you catch that?  If God did not respond in a way that preserved their lives; if His desire was for them to come home, then they were content with his decision - their faith would not be shaken.

WOW!  I need to get there.  I need an unshakable faith - regardless of the circumstances.  I guess this brings me to another way of looking at death that may seem weird to some people.  But it is a view that I find myself leaning towards at times and believe it requires even greater faith, perhaps.  It's the prayer of release.

The idea is if it is God's desire to bring a loved one home and if we desire to partner with God in what He is doing, then we should pray for Him to take home those he desires.  If we truly believe in life after death. If we believe that this life is only to prepare us for the future glory with God we desire...then death becomes the doorway to that place - that existence.  In many ways, I think it might take greater faith to pray this prayer - faith that everything we believe in is so accurate - so secure - that we willingly release our loved ones.

Please stop and hear me here.  I am not saying that I am praying for the death of my friend.  I want more time with her.  We have some great memories but I want more.  I pray daily for God's will to be done in her life.  If He has destined her to be healed, then heal her God.  Restore her strength.  Honor her faith and desire to be a living testimony for you. 

Yet, in her darkest moments lately what has impressed me the most has been her attitude and the faith that she has lived out in front of all who took the time to see.  She has been waking up in the night praising God.  Praying in the spirit.  Some may look on this and not understand what is happening.  For me, it is the proof of her faith.  The proof is not in whether God heals her physically.  It's in the way in which she is walking through this - full of hope, faith, joy and strength - all the things that make her who she is - have been put on display.  What a testament to her faith and her God.

I plan to have her pray for me.  I want her joy.  Her peace. Her unshakable faith. 

I, like the Hebrew children ask, "God, be gracious to my friend. Heal her if it is your desire.  Take her home if that is your desire.  Regardless, my faith is secure in you.  Unshaken in the midst of questions that are beyond my ability to answer.  Just be gracious to her, Oh Father.  No more suffering.  Give her strength.  Make her a testimony of your grace and mercy.  I trust in you, O God."

Comments

[taobao buy]

some day in the dream there is you and me, nice.

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This is one reason why I have emblazoned on the cover of my notebook the following statement:

"What's the story?"

That always stares me in the face whenever I take notes - it's a great thing to remembr.

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I need help. I just started a new job as EA to an executive. I will manage his TripIt account under his name. I'm trying to add accounts and continue to get exclamation marks after waiting for a long period on "we are updating your account activity" I assume the account number asked is the Mileage / Program Number and the PIN number is a PW? I cannot update old accounts or add new accounts. I'm I correct to say, if the carrier is not a partner with TripIt, I need to manually add the account and information in? I'm confused, help please!!! Thank you!!!

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*Love is ever the beginning of knowledge as fire is of light.!@

[Pastordude]

Bless you & your household today.