We are blessed to live in Ohio. The fall colors, the major cities, and the warm people are all part of Ohio's Midwest culture . But there is one other presence that makes Ohio great. It is the home of some of the best and fastest roller coasters in the world. Every time I watch one of them, (notice I watch because I'm too old to ride them), I find myself seeing an analogy of life. One day we struggle to climb the noisy hill and then when we reach the crest we are not prepared for the free fall that follows. Life seems to follow that same kind of pattern.
Recently, I was sitting with a group of men and we were discussing the fact that each person seems to struggle with something. In other words, we all have issues. Those issues can range from relationships, physical health, mental stability, financial pressure or family challenges. Scripture has a name for those kinds of personal issues. They are called "thorns in the flesh." Scholars for years have tried to pinpoint what a thorn in the flesh is, but none have succeeded. Some have suggested ideas that include your mother-in-law, blindness, sexual struggles, and discouragement. The fact of the matter is that no one knows what the author's "thorn" really was. The point is that we each have one.
Why do we have thorns and what do they accomplish? To answer that we need to examine where the thorn comes from and why it is present. The bible says that the thorn originates with God. Wait a minute! Am I suggesting that God permits struggle and adversity into our lives? Absolutely yes. If He is loving, how can he permit suffering? Well, that leads us to the second consideration, namely, the reason for the thorn. It's one thing for it to exist, it's quite another to understand why. Thorns are simply reminders that God uses to teach us to depend on him. He loves us so much that he desires for us to depend and trust in him. Thorns have a way of depleting us from our natural resources and brings us to a place of desperation. Most people don't like to live in a dependence on others, but God uses those times to build in us a trust in him and a recognition of our limitations. So the next time your thorn emerges, remember that God permitted it and that it is sent to drive you toward him. Think about it!
Recently, I was sitting with a group of men and we were discussing the fact that each person seems to struggle with something. In other words, we all have issues. Those issues can range from relationships, physical health, mental stability, financial pressure or family challenges. Scripture has a name for those kinds of personal issues. They are called "thorns in the flesh." Scholars for years have tried to pinpoint what a thorn in the flesh is, but none have succeeded. Some have suggested ideas that include your mother-in-law, blindness, sexual struggles, and discouragement. The fact of the matter is that no one knows what the author's "thorn" really was. The point is that we each have one.
Why do we have thorns and what do they accomplish? To answer that we need to examine where the thorn comes from and why it is present. The bible says that the thorn originates with God. Wait a minute! Am I suggesting that God permits struggle and adversity into our lives? Absolutely yes. If He is loving, how can he permit suffering? Well, that leads us to the second consideration, namely, the reason for the thorn. It's one thing for it to exist, it's quite another to understand why. Thorns are simply reminders that God uses to teach us to depend on him. He loves us so much that he desires for us to depend and trust in him. Thorns have a way of depleting us from our natural resources and brings us to a place of desperation. Most people don't like to live in a dependence on others, but God uses those times to build in us a trust in him and a recognition of our limitations. So the next time your thorn emerges, remember that God permitted it and that it is sent to drive you toward him. Think about it!
1 comment:
Okay, Pastor Tony, this is a tough one. The way I understand this is that Trials come and go and Thorns are forever.(Sounds like a Hallmark Card) Trials are temporary, minor speed bumps. Life is full of trials, one after another. We may not like the end result, but it passes. The Thorn in the Flesh is permanent. It's something we will deal with all of our life. A car repair is a trial-it gets fixed or junked-either way the problem disappears. A permanent health problem would be a thorn. Right? I could rant, rave and curse God for my problems, but that would be Satan's work, egging me on till I lose faith in God OR I may not be happy with what's happening, but I understand it's God's way and I need to pray, rely on him, and trust in him that there will be better days than bad. In my mind, I am picturing two options: A set of stairs that is the never-ending steps down to Satans dungeon of desperation and an escalator that leads to Heaven and God is standing there to take my hand and say "Welcome Home, I love you." The day I walked into High Pointe Church is the day I decided to take the escalator, not the steps.
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