Quick testimony

[dolfan]

I'm going to testify for a minute, here. You can't tweet this stuff.

I've heard coaches say, "Good is the enemy of the great." There is a tendency to say "that's good enough." Within, we say it when we tire of something or get attracted to do something else. Without, others will suggest that you've done enough or "that's good enough" when they want something from you and they're not getting it, or when what you're doing cramps them somehow. Whatever the motivation, the good is the enemy of the great.

Jesus said to His disciples, "you will do greater works than these". One way in which I've viewed that promise is through another scriptural lens: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." It must be so that faith brings us closer to who God is in truth than simply seeing the works His Son did in the flesh. That strikes me as improbable, but who am I to disagree with Jesus?

I remember Peter saying to Jesus as the Transfiguration moment drew to a close, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles. One for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah." The verse notes that Peter "did not know what he was saying." Is that not hilarious? (Boy, you don't know what you talkin' bout. Hush.) And, it got really unfunny really quick: "While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" The good was the enemy of the great.

This morning, my eyes popped open at about 5:30. My wife and I have been getting up earlier and praying together lately, but both of us also struggle with getting enough sleep. So, I overrode that inner, gentle voice from the Lord to get on up. All it got me was 30 more minutes of half-sleep. I needed sleep, and it is good to rest. It is good to stay in the bed and snuggle, and to hear the sleepy voice of my wife first thing in the morning. But, I chose the good over the great. I know it certainly. And, so God has given me this little bible lesson as a reminder of the fact that "good enough" is never really actually "good". I'm prayerfully aware, and hope I do not have to go through many pains to be reminded of it as some silly child, that many things will approach me with that invitation to accept something as "good enough". Abiding with God in every moment, and especially those times of getting alone with Him, is great. If we abide in Him, we produce much fruit; we will do "greater things".

So, I officially repent.

[Poimen]

Brother Tim,

I can sense the sincerity of your renewed passion for the Lord, your fellowship with Him, and your heart to draw nearer to Him in your words of late. This is just another, quite unmistakeable, evidence thereof.

The sense of renewal, raw passion, & hunger for God in your words have nearly brought me to tears. Quite unexpectedly. I sense Him in you ... and that calls me to greater devotion and expression of the same.

Oh what grace, that we might abide in Him!

Just wanted you to know, the blooms of His fruition are visible through you, even from here.

Blessings to you & yours dear friend.

[dolfan]

Wow.

If there's anything good happening, it is only by grace. People have prayed. I've been on prayer lists I didn't even know existed.

I appreciate you and your very, very kind words.