Pondering This Quote « Recognize and Remember

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Pondering This Quote

October 12, 2008 by sandrajo

And finding that I agree with it and find it true in my own life…

“I cannot find either in scripture or in history, a strong-willed individual whom God used greatly until He allowed them to be hurt deeply.” – Charles Swindoll

Posted in Faith, Trusting God | Tagged Chuck Swindoll Quote, God's plans, Hurting People, quote | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on October 12, 2008 at 10:38 pm | Reply manupmen

It is astonishing that so many people like the idea of being used.
on October 13, 2008 at 8:54 am | Reply sandrajo

Wow – thanks for your comment.
I have thought intently about how to respond. What continues to come to my mind over and over is — that my strongest desire is to be used by my Lord however He desires. My life is no longer all about me, but about accepting His gift of grace, becoming more like Him and doing what He has gifted me to do.
To be used by my Savior is my calling – however He desires to do so.
I am sure it does sound like being “used” – but this is where I have found the greatest satisifaction — being used for my Heavenly Father.
on October 13, 2008 at 12:35 pm | Reply manupmen

Sandrajo

I understand you enjoy being used, I just don’t understand why.

Why is it a positive thing to have your life no longer be about you? That sounds demeaning.

Why the urge to be used for another’s desires? It doesn’t sound healthy.
on October 13, 2008 at 4:37 pm | Reply sandrajo

Your questions are very thought provoking — and I appreciate being challenged on why I would want to be “used”.
Being a follower of Christ is so different than what the world believes – most people have no desire except for their own wants. To actually follow Jesus is about giving up our so called “rights” (which we don’t actually control anyway) and trusting in the God who created the universe. In my life, He has proved Himself to be faithful and trustworthy.
For me, being “used” is thank you for the gift of grace that was provided for me by Christ’s work on the cross. He did for me what I could not do myself — make a way for a personal relationship with God.
It may not make much sense to you. But I wonder if there someone in your life that you would do something for — someone who means that much to you? That is how I feel about my relationship with my Lord.
on October 13, 2008 at 5:17 pm | Reply manupmen

What is wrong with having your own desires?
on October 14, 2008 at 10:49 am | Reply sandrajo

There is nothing wrong with having your own desires, God actually tells us that He wants to give us the desires of our heart as we delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). He created us to have needs and desires.
Our problem is that apart from a saving relationship with God, our desires are self centered. Mankind is not intrinsically good on our own. All you have to do is to look at the evil all around us today; because of sin, our desires are selfish. We try to fill our empty souls with the desires that we think will fill us – but instead find more emptiness.
God created us for relationships – including the most important — a relationship with Him. His work on the cross created the way for a relationship with Him.
My relationship with God completes me, fills the emptiness, meets my desires and gives me purpose — makes me useful. And even though I have been through difficult times – I am never alone. It brings me the desires of my heart – which is ultimately to be useful for my Lord.
on October 14, 2008 at 7:51 pm | Reply manupmen

I find people instrinsically good.
on October 15, 2008 at 1:29 pm | Reply sandrajo

Well, this is where we totally disagree. I believe that man is created in God’s image to be good, but because of our sin that separates us from God, we cannot be good on our own works. God is very clear about our sinful nature in His word — it separates us from God’s Holiness.
I know my sinful nature – and it is filled with pride, jealously and putting my needs before all else. I also know my redeem nature that longs to be more like my Savior and to love and serve like He did. My relationship with God allows my sin to be covered by Jesus’ death on the cross.
I could give you several good scriptures here if you were interested. The most important thing from all of our discussions is not whether people are good — but are you good enough to get to heaven on your own goodness or is there a need for a Savior in your life who can redeem your life.
Thanks for the interesting discussions — it has been fun and challenging for me to put to words why my life has purpose.
on October 19, 2008 at 12:35 pm | Reply manupmen

Sandrajo,

I would be interested in your input on my latest blog entry. It’s at manupmen.wordpress.com

I have found our discussion interesting, and would like to know your views on people who use their faith in the way I have described in the blog entry.

Thanks!

John Bryan Stone