A strong faith

A couple of weeks ago much of the area around where I live was blanketed in almost 2 inches of ice. It has been a few years since we had a big ice storm. Whenever one rolls through the area, many lose power and many trees lose branches or are brought down due to the ice. There is such beauty in the ice despite how destructive it can be. Several years ago a friend and I had planned a trip to Bronner’s in Frankenmuth. (For those that don’t know, Bronner’s is a Christmas store.) We had planned to go on Christmas Eve day. The day before we were blanketed in ice. The roads were fairly clear however so our drive was uneventful outside of stop lights which were out. But what I remember most was the beautiful blue skies and the sunshine glistening off the ice. It was a beautiful drive that day.

In Michigan ice doesn’t present as much of a problem to the trees as it does in Texas. I have a co-worker that lives in Texas. A couple of years ago they had a major ice storm. The storm took out many more trees than a similar ice storm in Michigan would take down. It isn’t because the trees in Texas are all that different than the ones in Michigan. They have many of the same varieties. The problem is that Texas trees are not as strong. They have not had to grow up in an environment where there is a lot of snow and ice. Trees in Michigan are strengthened by the conditions that they face as they grow from a sapling into the mighty oaks and maples that tower over our homes. Texas trees don’t grow up with those same conditions. So when the ice storms come to Texas, the trees are bent over and broken off.

Our faith is a lot like those trees. There are many these days that preach a prosperity gospel. They tell people to put their faith in Jesus and all will go well for them. They won’t struggle with finances or relationships. Life will be ideal. That is until it isn’t. When an ice storm in life comes along and tests that faith, those that have strengthened their faith through the months and years can survive and withstand the ice storms. They may lose a few branches during those times but they will remain standing. They will be strengthened for the next storm that will inevitably come.

In contrast to that are those that have not built a strong faith. They will often break at the first major storm of life. They have put their faith in false promises. They believe that God won’t allow anything bad to happen to them. That if they live the right way and do the right things that everything will go well for them. Unfortunately that is not the reality. The reality is that we live in a broken and sinful world. Evil is all around us. Bad things happen to good people all the time.

The last 16 plus months have been anything but easy. They have been filled with many, many tears. There have been good times but underneath there is always a current of sadness. There is always an awareness that Ben is missing. In some ways it is hard to believe that Ben is actually gone. The song below is pretty spot on. I know there is a plan and that God has my best in mind. I hate the pain and I would rather not be walking this road without Ben. Through the pain though, God is holding me in His hands.

I don’t wanna write this song
I don’t want this pain to be my story
I don’t want this desert road
Are You sure this is the plan that You have for me?
Out here in the dust and clay
God, if there’s a bigger picture
It’s gettin’ hard to see today
But I know that You won’t leave me here

I don’t know where this is goin’
But I know who holds my hand
It’s not the path I would’ve chosen
But I’ll follow You to the end
Lord, as long as I am breathin’
I will make Your glory known
Even if it means I’m walkin’ on this desert road

(Where You lead me, I will follow)
On this desert road
(Where You lead me, I will follow)

You got my attention now
I was doin’ the talkin’, but now I’m listenin’
This is where my hope is found
Knowin’ life is hard, but You’re still with me
I’m not out here on my own
You are close to the broken-hearted
‘Cause You’ve already walked this road
And You’re gonna finish what You started

I don’t know where this is goin’
But I know who holds my hand
It’s not the path I would’ve chosen
But I’ll follow You to the end
Lord, as long as I am breathin’
I will make Your glory known
Even if it means I’m walkin’ on this desert road

(Where You lead me, I will follow)
On this desert road
(Where You lead me, I will follow)