Abandoned by God?
I'm reading a book entitled "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. Several people I know have been raving over this book. I'm not much on novels (mostly enjoy books on spiritual growth), but my friend insisted that I read this book and even bought me a copy.
Well, I have finally found a "sweet" spot in the book that God has used to reveal more about His nature to me. I have been a christian since I was seven years old and I have been faithful to God most of those years. And it has been my goal in life to grow ever closer to God. The first extraordinary study that I ever went through was "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby. That revealed how intimate God wants to be with each of us. The next book that held such a revelation to me was "The Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Then last October I read "Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God" by David McCasland. That was the most challenging book I've read on totally being sold-out for God. And now I can add "The Shack" to that list.
In this book, Mack (the main character) accuses God of abandoning Jesus when He was on the cross and also abandoning Mack when his daughter was killed. God responds by saying that He never abandoned anyone: "When all you can see is your pain, perhaps then you lose sight of me." How true that is...especially in my own life. In the '90s, my husband left his well-paying job to become a preacher. I was not too excited about his decision since I had grown up in a pastor's family. I knew the struggles that accompanied that kind of life. I guess I was also selfish, because I had my own ministry through music and I wanted him to support me...not the other way around. My husband spent nearly five years in seminary leaving me the brunt of supporting the family financially. Those five years were filled with many challenges, frustrations and hardships. Even today, thinking about those times make me shutter. I felt that God had abandoned us. Deep in my heart I knew He didn't, but that's what it felt like. When my eyes are on myself, I can't see anyone else...especially God.
Well, I have finally found a "sweet" spot in the book that God has used to reveal more about His nature to me. I have been a christian since I was seven years old and I have been faithful to God most of those years. And it has been my goal in life to grow ever closer to God. The first extraordinary study that I ever went through was "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby. That revealed how intimate God wants to be with each of us. The next book that held such a revelation to me was "The Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Then last October I read "Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God" by David McCasland. That was the most challenging book I've read on totally being sold-out for God. And now I can add "The Shack" to that list.
In this book, Mack (the main character) accuses God of abandoning Jesus when He was on the cross and also abandoning Mack when his daughter was killed. God responds by saying that He never abandoned anyone: "When all you can see is your pain, perhaps then you lose sight of me." How true that is...especially in my own life. In the '90s, my husband left his well-paying job to become a preacher. I was not too excited about his decision since I had grown up in a pastor's family. I knew the struggles that accompanied that kind of life. I guess I was also selfish, because I had my own ministry through music and I wanted him to support me...not the other way around. My husband spent nearly five years in seminary leaving me the brunt of supporting the family financially. Those five years were filled with many challenges, frustrations and hardships. Even today, thinking about those times make me shutter. I felt that God had abandoned us. Deep in my heart I knew He didn't, but that's what it felt like. When my eyes are on myself, I can't see anyone else...especially God.
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