DILIGENCE AND FOCUS

August 2, 1994 - Our first glimpse of Ashley Brooke

"As you do not know what is the way of the wind,

Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,

So you do not know the works of God who makes everything."

Ecclesiastes 11:5

Four years ago, we could have chosen to attempt to figure this out all on our own, embarking on a downward spiral of "How" and "Why".  Don't get me wrong, there were times, just as there still are, when we were so weak...days where we wished we could shake one another and wake up from the bad dream.  The enemy stood with a banquet feast ready to serve us a platter of blame and bitterness, convincing us we deserved to feel abandoned by God.

However, there was One greater who held the Truth.  One who stood ready to open His arms wide to us full of sovereignty, hope, love, grace, mercy, and comfort. Only through His grace were we able to grasp hold of His promises of never leaving us.  Only through His strength were we able to apply Proverbs 3:5-6 to our daily lives:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Folks, God is holy and sovereign!  We will never fully understand many of the obstacles in our lives that God allows, but if you are a child of the King, you can rest assured that He is in control and nothing is a surprise to Him!

During trials, stay diligent and focused on Christ.  God's desire is not that you be consumed with the trial but for you to allow Him to consume you!  Ashley's junior class this year had a motto of, "Don't toss your friend under the bus."  Well, in this case, I say don't toss your faith under the bus...throw the enemy's lies and torment directly in its path.  Do not give the enemy the benefit of stealing your focus and thereby any hope of comfort and peace.