For His Glory
- Shaquille Haynes (Guest Writer)
- Jun 17, 2015
- 8 min read
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. (James 1:2-4, 12-18 NLT).
Yes! Count it all joy Paul says when your back is against the wall. When you encounter disappointment after disappointment even though you've been giving your best. When all reports are negative but you're just looking for the silver lining amidst the clouds of grey – yes, count it all joy. Humanly difficult but supernaturally possible. We encounter challenges from time to time, in reflection we can say these downfalls have built character, and taught lifelong lessons to say the least. Regardless of where you're coming from, there's purpose for the pain. Your past does not define you, neither does your current circumstance. Will this walk always be a bed of roses? Nope but the eternal reward is worth it.
You are worth it! Your dream is worth it! And you deserve to know that as a child of God regardless of what you are faced with, you've been built to overcome. The pruning process is for God to get the glory, just as our earthy parents and guardians discipline us, so too does our Heavenly Father. See Hebrews 12
For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Hebrews 12:6-11 NLT)
As joint heirs with Christ, we have access to supernatural grace and power. In addition, we've been left with various examples of how Jesus endured hardships for the glory of His Father.
Was Jesus superhuman? No
Did He feel pain? Yes
Was He exempt from discipline? No
And this is the perfect Son of God, born into sin brought up in the world just as we are, yet He went through sufferings. How much more do we who still battle daily with our sin need discipline?
Many of us say “Yes Lord, send me!” But do not want to undergo the transformation and would prefer if we could go with all our excess baggage. Many of us say “Yes Lord have Your way in my life” but still hold onto the sin that inhibits us from accessing the mysteries of heaven. You may say but I don't have it all together God; beloved, God does not require perfection, He's asking for obedience and submission - look at Moses:
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go back to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and tell him to let the people of Israel leave his country.” “But LORD!” Moses objected. “My own people won’t listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker! ” But the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them orders for the Israelites and for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The LORD commanded Moses and Aaron to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. (Exodus 6:10-13 NLT)
Look at David, a murderer yet a man after God’s own heart – his process shows a prime example of how after numerous falls we can still get back in the race, for His glory! God will discipline His children.
So what is God saying to you? What has God said about you? Have you spoken to Him lately? I mean actually have a conversation and not a one way monologue consisting of merely “Hey God I've been thinking…can You grant me this, that and this too? Oh and don't forget I'm still waiting on the breakthrough You promised me eons ago.” This isn't what it is about, God desires relationship and communion. I soon came to the realization that this journey had nothing to do with me, neither is God a genie on standby waiting to grant my every wish. In some of my weakest moments, while in the waiting room – waiting on God to come through I had to learn to focus on Him being good and professing His goodness rather than yelling demands at a God who already knew what I was dealing with.
Instead of the: “Hey God I've been thinking…can You grant me this, that and this too? Oh and don't forget I'm still waiting on the breakthrough You promised eons ago.” monologue, I poured out my heart expressing gratitude and in return He reassured me that He had things under control. It's in some of these weak points His strength was made perfect. This may sound cliché but imagine having zero strength and a few limited options yet looking back and realizing you weathered another storm, awesome right? I soon understood that though society will shove that we need to look, think and be a particular way down our throats, contrary to popular belief God is in the business of pruning simply for His glory and you know what? He's pruning you too.
Difficult times remind us that we are not self sufficient and we need a Saviour, discipline happens to bring us back to reality as soon as we’re taking pride in ourselves showing up our frailness without Christ.
So yes, there are times life will hurt so bad you’d want to curl into a corner and cry – forever. I'm just here to tell you joy comes in the morning. Your morning may not be tomorrow; it may not be next month but hold onto the Constant One. Our Saviour is shaping and molding us into who He destined you and I to be for His Glory alone. This process has very little to do with the opinion of others so do not worry about what they'll think. Remember Jesus is returning for His bride someday and our pruning will continue until we are set for His grand entrance.
ShaQuille, how do I find the light when all I see is darkness? Draw nigh to the light and you too will inherit some of its brilliance! Allow Christ to do a complete work in your life and watch how He turns things around!. Some seasons you may have folk around to encourage you then in other seasons there's no one around just you and God.
The things we experience are not only for ourselves but to be the lighthouse to guide someone else along the way. Is your back against the wall? You're in good standing! Wake up and keep going anyway, for the journey has very little to do with you and very much to do with the One who created you, For His Glory.
In conclusion, reminisce on these lyrics by Tasha Cobbs’ – For Your Glory and the words of David in Psalm 139.
Lord if I find favor in Your sight
Lord please hear my hearts cry
I'm desperately waiting to be where You are
I'll cross the hottest desert, I'll travel near or far
For Your glory I will do anything
Just to see You, to behold You as my King
I wanna be where You are
I gotta be where You are
I wanna be where You are
Peace is where You are
Joy is where You are
And Love is who You are
“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men. For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:1-24 NKJV)
Be encouraged.
ShaQuille
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About The Blogger
Shaquille is an enthusiastic, creative individual full of passion and vigor for life. She has successfully completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill and has since worked in the industry in various facets. Outside of the academic arena, she can be found actively participating in dance classes, penning her thoughts in her trusty journal, constructing lyrics to songs or grooving to her favourite reggae tracks. The first of 4 children but sister to many, her journey has been one of unwavering grace and favour, a story she believes will be shared with hearts one step at a time. A born leader, visionary, and budding entrepreneur, Shaquille has a desire to see those around her strive for their best self and uses her gifts to encourage others to push for greatness. In 2014, she launched her blog “butterflyMemoirs” a medium used to uplift and inspire persons to continue their journey as they evolve in different seasons of life. Later in 2015 she actively started a social media outreach by posting snippets of encouragement through #braveHeartMemoirs. Though small in size, she is big in spirit and aspires one day to become a Christian author, speaker and lifestyle coach particularly reaching out to women and young girls.
Further Reading
Exodus 6
Psalms 139
Hebrews 12
James 1
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