The problem is that I kept get caught up with this one thought, "Who are you kidding? You're still learning, so what would you teach?"
That thought isn't something I'm willing to call the "enemy's tactic," because it is truth. It really is. I keep circling the same kinds of lessons, struggles, and imperfections. I came home from work and left to take a walk, because (thank you, Jesus) this weather is absolutely beautiful. I was listening to a sermon that made me realize there's only one more lesson in the healing journey that I need to share. It's a pretty simple lesson but it's the hardest thing I've ever done. It's also the portion of the lessons that has to be repeated again, and again, and again..... as long as we live.
To be fully and completely well in our soul, to be whole in Christ, we absolutely have to cooperate with Him all the way Home. We must submit and surrender to each and every lesson He wants to teach, and we must trust that if He's allowing a crushing lesson He has a purpose in it that is for our good.
Thankfully, I don't need to write this lesson, because God brought to mind that we've already written about this. I certainly needed to read it, though. See, a few short weeks after Scotty's confession in 2011 I wrote the following words, and I'm even more convinced of this message's truth today:
Sift, Lord, Sift -- September 22, 2011
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22: 31-32
I have a favorite Bible study writer.... Beth Moore. Those of you that read this blog know that. I have several favorite studies of hers. One of them is When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. I've done that particular study 4 times!!! And, now, I'm doing it a fifth time! Each time, God has ministered to me in a different way through Beth's message and God's Word. This time, each day's study is exactly what I need for that day.
The most powerful lesson so far is a study of Peter's sifting. Peter was a pretty big New Testament player. In fact, Christ called him the Rock that He would build the church upon. However, Peter also had some struggles. He rebuked Jesus for telling him that He (Christ) would have to endure sufferings, he had quite the temper, cut off the ear of a soldier and at his very lowest denied Christ three times! As a matter of fact after Peter was told that He would play a key role in the building of Christ's church, Jesus had to say to him, "Get behind me, Satan!"
Yes. Peter had struggles. But, as the verse at the top of this post points out, Peter had more than just struggles. He was facing Satanic attack. And what Beth Moore points out in her Bible study is that Satan must gain permission to launch a full scale attack on one of God's children. The obvious question here is "Why?" Well, I believe that if God allows it, there is a purpose. He knows that HE can work all things together for good.
I may be losing some of you. Please understand that I am NOT saying that God caused the sins that have done serious damage to my marriage and our family. No way! This was NOT his plan for our marriage. BUT, can He use it? Absolutely. And He already is.
The point is that sometimes warfare enters a believers life because, just like Peter, there is something in that life that needs sifting. Peter's devotion to Christ was pure even though the rest of his character needed a little work. And, the only reason that God would grant Satan permission to 'sift Peter like wheat' is... Something needed sifting! Today, why would God allow someone with a whole hearted, sincere, and pure devotion to Christ to get caught in the snare of demonic seduction? I LOVE Beth's answer, even though it sort of makes me shudder...
"Because, not unlike Peter, something needs removing, sifting, changing that an intense encounter with the kingdom of hell would best accomplish."
Do you have chills? Satan got used! That makes me smile. Maybe there IS a competitor deep within me, because the fact that there are occasions when Satan thinks He is winning a battle only to find out he was USED to accomplish God's greater purpose makes me want to stand up and fight. I want to be a part of the winning team!
One more thing... I realize that I wasn't the one caught in Satan's lies. It may seem unfair to some that I must reap the consequences when the attack and sift was meant for Scotty. In other words, if there was something in Scotty that needed removing, couldn't He have used something that would have affected only Scotty. Let me answer that. I will not know God's ultimate purpose this side of heaven. But here's what I do know... My Heavenly Father LOVES me! And, He would not have allowed these horrible things to have happened to me if He could not turn them into good for me! In the process, I could use a good sifting as well. I believe that and I trust Jesus! So, it is in that trust that I say, "Sift, LORD, sift!"
And, there you have it.... the next and final lesson in the journey to healing is to know and understand that God will continue His work in us until we are complete. Siftings are necessary and siftings are good. The tricky part is that we only get to read about one of Peter's. I'm proof that siftings happen on an ongoing basis. Just as soon as I've made progress in one area, God decides we can work on another area. The best news, though, is that He allows the siftings so that we will cling more closely to Him. He wants us close. The healthier we become, the quicker we will surrender to His way.
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