My husband, Mark, puts out cd's that are the Scriptures set to music. I was listening to one in the car, today, and Ian happened to be singing two of the Scriptures I listened to. Not only is Ian gifted in all the other ways that have been detailed here, in this blog, he can sing too; very well. His singing career goes all the way back to his first band, the Dum-Bums that included such talents as his friend, David, my son. Their fame spread far and wide between our two houses, that were right next to each other. Their last band, Knucklehead (pictured here), which also included my son actually played a few gigs. Ian can sing and his voice, on the cd, was evidence that his voice was only getting better.
The songs he sang were very edifying, but also, very interesting. The first was 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
The second was 1Thessalonians 5:23-24:
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
There's not much more that I desire in this world than to hear Ian sing again. But wasn't he telling me, as he sang, that what he was singing is exactly what God is doing in his life? The Lord, Himself, is preparing for Ian an eternal weight of glory, beyond all comparison that will make what he and his family have to endure seem light and momentary. If I look at what is seen, and not at what is unseen, it seems unbearably heavy and far too long, but Ian was telling me something very different. He told me that the God, Himself is sanctifying him completely and keeping his whole spirit, soul and body blameless until Jesus returns or he goes to his real home, Paradise with Jesus. And then he capped it all off with God's promise, "He who calls you is faithful. He will surely do it."
Ian is gaining something so, utterly, fantastic in these sufferings, that we would probably faint with ecstasy if we could see it. But we can't see it, and that's why we get into trouble. We're looking at him with our physical eyes that only see what is temporal and transient. So, as he sings, we're supposed to be looking at and for the things that are unseen because they are eternal and most important. The Scriptures, just as Ian was singing, teaches that all of our sufferings are completely purposeful in the hands of an eternally wise and very skillful God.
I am praying, hard, that Ian will sing again. But in all my prayers, I don't want to lose sight of what Ian is gaining in his sufferings and therefore dishonor God and rob Ian, in my own mind, of the glorious weight of God's doings. I want to obey Jesus and pray, with perseverance, until He answers, but I also want to remember that there are supernatural, hidden and mysterious things happening in and with Ian and his family of which I have no idea, but of which He knows all.
God if faithful. He will surely do it.
Kristi A.
4 comments:
Great post, Kristi!
I'm thinking about the one Scripture that you posted:
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison..."
As you said, someone who has suffered may think the suffering is the "eternal weight" and getting some relief couldn't be more than "light" and "momentary". But God's Word says the opposite! It's the glory that will be so "big", bigger than the affliction, that it will weigh us down! How about that?!
My little mind can hardly comprehend that truth.
Thanks again for pointing out this nugget from God's Word.
Still praying!
Mary Ann K.
Kristi - I think the cd you are referring to is “Weight of Glory”. I was listening to that not long ago and as I browsed the liner I noticed that Ian did lead vocals not only on the 2 passages that you mention but also on Romans 5:10. I wrote these three passages on my daily reading schedule as fuel for prayer.
In God’s providence tomorrow night I am leading my home group on, you guessed it, Romans 5 (verses 1 – 11). What a rich text, spilling out great truths of God! I have been greatly encouraged by the example of Steve, his family and Larissa, and others at LOLC who “rejoice in …sufferings” (Romans 5:3). My prayer for you all today is that while you rest in the great truth of our justification before God, purchased by His Son, you all may experience “God's love … poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (verse 5).
And I pray, too, with you that Ian would sing again!
Soli Deo Gloria!
-tim
Wellspring Church, San Leandro, CA
right on Kristi....God is awsome....and its God's timing and HIS timing is always right on Time......did you read where a polish man came out of a coma after a good while....Ian will not only sing again, but what an incredible testimony for all involved...look what's already transpired...many, many new songs of love, praise, peace & more love than anyone could imagine...not to mention the incredible sacrifaces, suffering, caring and community care...saints from around the world are praying.....they are praying for IAN in the Philippines (where, by the way....they are singing Mark's old, old songs....I have a destiny...and many others...it was awsome to sing with them knowing the author not only of the praise, but the song...)
Blessings, & peace....
an old neighbor...
dhanyok
It would be interesting to see Ian's response to listning to this CD. My daughter who has expressive aphashia can sing the words to a song she knows without a problem. Music is God's medium.
“Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.”—Lamentations 3:32-33
In prayer and God will bless.
Denny
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