WOYWW: A Grander Vision

 I woke up to this. I'm going to need

another plastic bag to shove all this in.

But not the hard drive on top.

That's where my son saves the Downton Abbey series.

I was watching the latest one last night.

Poor Edith! The writers should give her a break!

Didn't know how to illustrate this verse.

 "Lord, will only a few be saved?" 

Jesus answered them, 

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate..." 

Luke 13:23-24

Sometimes when we listen to preachers, 

it seems like all we need to do is 

say the sinner's prayer and that's it. 

You're saved. But Jesus says here we have to strive, 

to "strain every nerve to enter", 

to "force yourself through it", 

"to endeavor with strenuous zeal".  

The word 'strive' is translated from 

the Greek AGONIZOMAI,

 where the word 'agony' comes from. 

This word is used to describe athletic contests and war. 

And we know what kind of 

contests and war the Greeks had!!! 

 It sort of reminds me of the big man 

who insisted on going through 

Fat Man's Squeeze in Rock City, Tennessee. 

His friends said no, let's find some other way, 

but he insisted on going through this 

narrow passage between two huge rocks. 

First he removes his jacket, gets out, 

removes his shirt, tries again. 

Then his belt comes off. 

He was able to "force himself through finally"! 

 Jesus is saying here it's not as easy as saying a prayer, 

or getting in a line to accept Him as Lord and Savior.  

It's working at it for our whole life. 

There are things we have to get rid of too, 

like the man unbuckling his belt, removing his jacket.

 But I hold on to Philippians 1:6, 

"...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion..." 

Let's strive with confidence and finish the race!!

 "Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, 

and He spent the night in prayer to God. 

When day came, He called the disciples to Himself 

and from them He chose twelve." Luke 6:12

Before Jesus chose the twelve apostles 

(from the Greek word meaning "one who is sent away"

, like a messenger or ambassador), He prayed. 

This was a very important decision. 

Jesus prayed the whole night!

Most of the time, my prayers bring good fruit. 

Someone gets healed. A problem is solved. 

A brother gets a job. We reach somewhere safely. 

I have been praying big and small prayers 

since I was very young. 

But sometimes my prayers are not answered. 

My mother died in February. 

I still have my thorn in the flesh. 

Right now I have 3 canker sores in my mouth :^((

But I look at Jesus and see that 

after praying the whole night up in the mountain 

(not in the comfort of His bed), 

He still chose one man, Judas Iscariot. 

We can't say that was a good choice, can we? 

But I do believe it was an inspired choice. 

In a way, because of Judas and what he did, I am saved. 

Because of Judas, God's plan was fulfilled. 

But what of Judas? God only knows. If only he repented.

So when my prayers aren't answered 

the way I want God to answer, 

I can only look to Jesus' prayer on the mountain 

and trust that God knows best. 

He has His own purposes. 

A bigger plan. A grander vision. 

I need only to stay in faith and trust 

that He has my very best in mind.

Previous Posts

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I find a lot of inspiration

visiting my friends here:

Testimony Tuesday, Count Your Blessings, Word Art Wednesday, 

Whatever You Want Wednesday,Winsome Wednesdays, Share the Joy, 

Wednesday Christian Homemaking Link Party

What's It Wednesdays, Unite, WholeHearted Home,

 Rubie Tuesday Link Up, Be Inspired

 A Little R and R,  No Rules Weekend Blog Party

What We Accomplished, Wow Us Wednesdays
The Weekly Creative

Thoughtful Thursday,  Hearts4Home Thursdays, Thought Provoking Thursday

Thriving Thursdays with Serving Joyfully

Thursday Favorites, Desire to Inspire Legacy Leaver Thursday

Creative Things, Bloom! Soul Survival

 

Blessings!

Patsy