"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12



“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”- William Butler Yeats





Thursday, June 10, 2010

Blinders


Have you ever seen horses wearing blinders?



I've always thought that it was cruel to put blinders on these beautiful animals. I've learned now that it's not cruel at all. In fact, it protects them. Blinders are used to keep the horses on track and focused on what they are doing and what is in front of them. It prevents them from becoming scared or distracted.

About 9 or 10 months ago, I was a bit stagnant in my walk with Christ. I wanted with all my heart for God to push my faith to another level. In fact, I prayed for this. I wanted him to push me to the limits. I thought he'd do so gently. Instead, I felt like he threw me off a cliff.

God does not take lightly what we ask for, especially when He knows darn well the glory it will bring Him.

Almost eight months to the date of having been pushed over that cliff, I've learned that the only way to survive in this crazy, chaotic world we live in, is by trusting. By believing 100%, without any doubts, that when you are being obedient to what He wants from you, he will have your back. When you are still, His glory will be revealed and will shine like the sun for all to see.

He's reminded taught me that I am a stubborn, hard-headed, controlling, kinda girl that sometimes needs to go through the fire to be able to say, "I am lost. I can't get out of this mess without you. I surrender."

He's taught me that those blinders that I thought were so cruel to have someone place on you, were instead a blessing, a way of learning that if I follow Him, I will be on the right path.

He's taught me that only after I stopped fighting Him and surrendered completely, is when He was able to put those blinders on me. It was then that I allowed him to block my peripheral vision (the worldly views). I learned that the only way I could follow and remain focused, keeping my eyes on Him, was when I had those blinders on. I had to turn my back on opinions and thoughts, even from those closest to me, in order to know for a fact that I was following His will and not my heart or my head.

He taught me that even with blinders on, things would still cross my path that would entice me to want to pull them off; things that made me fear the possibility of whether or not I might be blindsided by something.

I had many moments of wanting to rip them off and be a part of "the world." It would have been so much easier that way. I thank Him daily for His gentle reminder that it was He who put them on. It was He who knew that I couldn't make it past all this without being fully focused on where I needed to be, fully focused on Him. It was He that showed me that the only possible way I could be obedient to His will was by wearing these blinders.

He has created many miracles these past 8 months. I look back on them now and say, "Only God could have done that."

He has transformed lives.

He has torn apart relationships and built them new, in Him.

He has revealed depths of emotions in myself, and in those around me that I love, that would never have been revealed had He not allowed this ordeal to happen.

He has shown me to pray.

He has shown me to trust.

He has shown me that only He has the right to judge others.

He has shown me to believe. To believe in His faithfulness and to believe in His Word. To believe in the power of the blood that was shed at Calvary. To not doubt for one second that He has been with us every, single step of the way.

On June 21st, almost 8 months to the day that this all began, it will all be finished. I refuse to accept anything other than the fact that my God, the King of Kings, will be there in full glory to reveal his sovereignty before all involved. I also refuse to believe that anything but His perfect will will be the end result.

I thank Him. I thank Him for throwing me off that cliff. I thank Him for answering prayers. I thank Him for not answering prayers. I thank Him for the ordeal. I thank Him for allowing me to grow in Him.

When this is over, I will be praying for a way to share the full, non-encrypted story without intruding in our privacy, so that you too can be in awe of what a mighty God we serve!

I have pondered again and again about whether or not to go private with my blog, and He has once again affirmed to me that as long as there may be the slightest of possibilities that I can use my teeny piece of cyberspace to further His Kingdom, then it should remain public.

So for now, June 21st, is the magic date. Until then friends, I humbly ask that you continue to lift us up.

By the way, it feels incredibly good to be back!



9 comments :

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh my friend He IS Mighty to Save!!!! I don't like being thrown off cliffs myself but I think that is the best way that I learn....unfortunately...it is in those moments that I cling to Him with all my might...He knows that...He knows our hearts. I remain on my knees and I stand along beside you KNOWING that HE WILL BE GLORIFIED!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you <3

Anonymous said...

Good you are back on girl! We are going through our own cliff thrower too right now. Where ever we land it is where we will be covered and protected and despite hard time we will be in God's will. The very best place to be. For me it is hard cause I want to defend my self at least. But I know now I do not need to... I can rest and let others think what they might... if this is His will for me now... I am in it...
blessings

Holly said...

I have no idea what your trial has been, but I know that same Faithful God!! I loved your analogy...spiritual blinders!
I still remember when I found you...you were in China for Anna Grace....look at all the wonders HE has done since then!
I am glad you feel that you can keep your blog open. Sharing God's miracles with the world is an honor...but I do get the privacy concerns too. May the Lord give you discernment about how to share.
Love,
Holly

Your Loving Husband! said...

This was beautiful, baby. It's true, we just have to throw it all the the foot of the cross and let our Lord take care of us, because His plan is always perfect. No matter what the problem, the solution is always Christ. Ever since I came home from that retreat in Miami, and my heart was turned to Christ, I've ALWAYS believed that ANY thing this world throws at us, anything that God puts into our path to show us His rightousness, He always guides us through to a greater good, a reason for us to praise His name and to give Him all the glory. We're almost through this trial, we know His will be done. He is truly an AMAZING God.

He & Me + 3 said...

God is so good like that. He is right on time and always has our interests at heart. He takes us on a path that will only bring Him glory...it is not about us but about Him. what a testimony you have my friend.
Hugs,
Mimi

Angie in TX said...

God is so good and He is sovereign. Praying for you as the 21st approaches...

Hugs,
Angie

Aus said...

Well - you sure pack it in once in a while sweet - regardless - you know that you are always in our thought and prayers!

Ya know - God is like that - He always gives us what we need - the trick is for us to understand that what He has given to us is - in fact - what we need - and quit fussing with Him about it!

hugs - with you guys -

aus and co.

Patricia said...

You have been in my thoughts & prayers & I am so glad to see you here!! And thanks for stopping by...your comment made me smile! :)

Hang in there, my friend, HE is mighty to save, indeed!!

Carmen said...

Know exactly what you are talking about. The last cliff just about killed me but I am stronger because of it.

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