That thing you wanted for Christmas but never got. That love interest you swooned over for years, but it was never reciprocated. That position you interviewed for, but they went a different direction. That tragedy that left you in complete disarray. That sick family member you tirelessly prayed for that just didn't make it. We've all had these utterly disappointing and gut-wrenching moments invade our lives and families in a way that seems to be completely pointless and extremely unnecessary and undeserved.
In Ravi's, The Grand Weaver, we're given a glimpse into the relevance of our darkest experiences in the light of eternity's purpose for our lives. Ravi shows us how the condition of our heart and mind, in view of the cross, actually becomes our make-or-break lens into God's purpose for our disappointments.
a Matter of the Heart
"God does not display his work in abstract terms. He prefers the concrete, and this means that at the end of your life one of three things will happen to your heart: it will grow hard, it will be broken, or it will be tender." #RaviZacharias #TheGrandWeaver
What will be your answer, your response, your heart whenever hard times hit? Make no mistake, they will come. Purpose your heart now so that your resilience will shine and God will honor you in those moments.
Keeping Your Mind
"Faith is a thing of the mind. If you do not believe that God is in control and has formed you for a purpose, then you will flounder on the high seas of purposelessness, drowning in the currents and drifting further into nothingness." #RaviZacharias #TheGrandWeaver
How will your mind react? What thoughts will you allow in these trying moments? Train yourself on these thoughts when there are moments of peace, so that when the storm does rage, your mind will have a heavenly perspective.
The Reality of the Cross
"Why...'all the blood and stuff' in the sacrifice of Jesus? Why couldn't God just make a simple pronouncement of forgiveness to all who sought it...? This is precisely the way we look at suffering. Why does it have to be actual? Why not just have an idea? Such a wish, however, misses the very nature of reality by not seeing the physical side of the spiritual reality to which God points us." #RaviZacharias #TheGrandWeaver
The proper view of the cross in our hearts and minds is the only real way to find ultimate purpose and hope in times of severe disappointment and despair. We are fortunate to find, in Jesus Christ, someone who gets us. Someone who “...was despised and rejected... a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief... he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows... stricken, smitten...afflicted... he was pierced... he was crushed..."
His torment, however, was not the end of his story and neither will it be for those who are gutsy enough to subscribe to his offer of a victorious life. He "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
What do you think?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Tell us how this post helped you. Or tell us what we missed. Also, feel free to let us know which topics you'd like us to cover in the future.
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Verse References
http://bible.com/59/isa.53.3-5.esv
http://biblehub.com/colossians/2-15.htm