|
The
Lightstand Magazine
1986
• March• Reflections on the way
by Bro. Robin Lamplough
|
|
|
|
The
man Job, out of the bitter depths of his personal experience,
observed that man's days were "full of trouble"
(Job 14.1). The Apostle Paul added a spiritual dimension for
the disciple when he explained that "we must through
much tribulation enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14.22)
Sometimes, however, when the difficulties of life descend
upon us, even accepting these inspired comments upon our lot,
we wonder what it is all about. Then the Preacher's words
present an aspect which can both cheer and sustain us: man's
sore travail, he assures us, is God-given "to the sons
of men to be exercised therewith" (Ecc 1.13).
A MATTER OF GROWTH Discipleship is essentially a matter of
growth. Scriptural imagery conveys this truth in a variety
of ways. The seed is planted; germination follows; and ultimately
fruit is produced. We feed on the milk of the Word and then,
in course of time, upon the strong meat. And the end of all
these processes is that eventually we should attain "the
measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph
4.13). For our physical frames, the process of growth is stimulated
by exercise. The same, then, is true of spiritual growth.
This is a thought to strengthen us when the going is rough.
|
|
Page 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
But
it is also true that growth can be interfered with. A lack of proper
sustenance or the influence of external conditions can impede it
or misdirect it. Sometimes these problems produce deformity; sometimes
they have a stunting effect; always they prevent the achievement
of full potential. The spiritual aspect of this is worth pondering.
We all know men and women whose experiences have left them warped
and bitter. And we know others who have emerged from the storms
of life stronger and better people. Wherein lies the difference?
FOR OUR GOOD If the trials we endure are given of God that we may
be exercised therewith, it follows that God's purpose must be for
our good. If we fail to gain the benefits intended, it must be because
in some way or ways we have responded wrongly to the test. If a
divinely provided lesson has a bad outcome, it can only be that
the inherent waywardness of human nature has interfered with the
process and negated the real purpose of the lesson. A wise old brother
often used to say: "It's not what happens to us that matters:
what really counts is how we react to it." Looking at this
essential truth from another viewpoint, we can say that every experience
of life will make us either bigger or smaller; will make us either
better disciples or worse ones than we were before. Let us pray
for the wisdom to respond properly to every challenge of life, so
that, by the grace of God, we may grow more and more like His Son.
That, after all, is what discipleship is all about.
R.L.
|
|
Page 2
|
|
|
|
