MASON JAR

 
      At small group the other week God gave me a word picture for the last 3 years of our life and the change in season we are in now.  A mason jar.
     Three years ago we said good bye to the youth that Paul was shepherding at a church in California.  It was one of the hardest choices we have ever made and the season that fallowed was shocking.  We moved from Sacramento to Kentucky and things fell apart.  Our circumstances with work and income gradually declined.  There wasn't money for bills let alone the new baby that was on its way (Abigail).  Our perspective of God's goodness was challenged to the core.  We know that in our leaving the church we made a good and right choice.  We were extremely wounded in the process.
     We have learned that in walking with God, financial security doesn't equal anything.  It doesn't mean you are loved it doesn't mean God is good.  Financial security is simple a blessing if you have it.  Some have it in season's some have it their whole lives and some never do.  It is simple a circumstance that God will use to show us his love. Having it or not having it.  He will work all things for good for those who love Him and are called according the His purposes.
     God was so merciful to take away our ability to provide for ourselves.  Through the season of lack,  He convinced us of the truth that He is the provider.  We are not to be negligent under that truth.  You still get up each day and work hard but ultimately God gives and God takes away.  We found in our lack just how rich God has made us.  We learned in suffering that He is good.  I could go on and on about the details put our "mason jar" as we went through a season of healing and clarification.  Healing from the wound of the church we left but more impacting clarification of who God is.
     We call our old perspective of Jesus the "American Jesus."  You obey Him and you get the blessing you want.  In reality you are so thankful that your greatest problem of separation from God is solved in Christ blood you are thankful. Thankful, you live your life in obedience to a merciful, good and angry God. The only God.  He is pure because He doesn't not accept sin.  Angry because of unrighteousness but good and merciful be cause He Himself made a way out from under His wrath that it pure and right.  Jesus.  The Jesus of the Bible, is one of the 3 part God that we worship now with more clarity.  In His mercy God walked us through a season of suffering and trial to draw us into Himself.

Psalm 119:65-80
Vs.67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray"
Vs.71 "It is good for me that I have been afflicted"
Vs. 75 "I know, O LORD, that Your judgements are right and that in faithfulness You afflicted me"

     Before this season I would read this scripture and be confused as if this made God not good.  Now I read this scripture and my soul wants to bust out of my chest and scream AMEN!  I have tasted the sweet benefit of suffering.  Of wrong perspective of God getting burnt off in the fire of trial and the grace to come out of the fire with out the smell of smoke on me!
     God worked all this wonderful change in us in a season that felt like forever.  Three years is a long time but when He was done with this specific work it was done!  God poured into the mason jar suffering, His faithfulness, us resisting and then drawing near to Him and then He has screwed the lid on tight.  The lid is made of His goodness and our unwavering belief in that part of His character.  I heard God speaking to my heart at small group the other week.  Put it on the shelf.  Put that mason jar on the the shelf.  Don't ever forget about the work done these last 3 years but put it up and move on.
     During the 3 years Paul in I were in a time of healing and not really serving much in the body.  We are now praying that God would lead us in using or gifts to edify the body.  We are looking forward to His answer.
     God has unexpectedly released us from the debt that stacked up in the time of a lack of income and we are free to move on to serve Him in part or full time ministry.  Our desire to serve full time in ministry was not burnt up in the fire of trial. Very much the opposite it was refined and straightened.  Here we are Lord, send us!

In the the jar I put papers and cards and other things that remind me of the last 3 years.