Thursday, March 30, 2006

The Wisdom of the Unknown Confederate Soldier

I first read this years ago, and I find it so potent. This is the essence of the Christian life, I think. I have heard a country song with the refrain "I Thank God for Unanswered Prayers" which is along the same lines.

I don't really have time to write anything more profound right now, so without anymore ado, here it is:

I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
- Unknown Confederate Soldier

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Well, I have not had much time of inspiration for writing these past few weeks. People stopped having birthdays, eliminating my most recent subject matter.

Life has held some unexpected deviations from where I thought it was going, giving God another opportunity to work on my faith.

Many seasons of my life can be in many ways summed up in a short phrase or a question in some way or another shaped my way of thinking, but they soon outlive their season. Scripture, however never becomes a mere catch phrase that was once helpful.

There has been one passage of scripture in particular that seems like it is always relevant. Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths."

Amazing, isn't it, how much mileage one can get out of one little verse?

As an avid history buff, I do lots of reading about people in general, and one thing that I see is how terrible, horrible, not good and very bad life can be. Thousands upon thousands of people whose lives where anywhere from just plain hard to downright hellish. And yet God, in His infinite power and glory and majesty, sees the sparrow that falls, and calls us "infinitely more valuable than they." He calls us His children, and promises never to forsake us. That He, as our Father, cares about even out smallest joys and sorrows. That He has a sovereign plan, and that we are part of it. That is truly amazing.