Monday, June 8, 2009

Ruin or Salvation?

4:27 PM by Christi Bowman

I am learning, in a hands on sort of way, that the words enemy/adversary are not necessarily evil nor do they only stand for evil people. An enemy/adversary can be someone who opposes you over a long period of time or just for a moment. An enemy/adversary can be a family member, a friend, an acquaintance.

My parents have become my adversaries. They are not evil people. They are hurting me, but I am choosing to believe that it is not malicious. They firmly believe that what they say and the expectations that they have are right. I disagree.

My parents are choosing to not speak to me right now, and although I am choosing to not see their behavior as malicious, there actions still cause me a lot of grief. I continue to second guess myself. I could call my parents, sweep things under the rug, and go back to the way things were, but maintaining the status quo would be unhealthy. Still, knowing that I could end this polarization with a phone call, at times, seems like the best option...and then I read a few verses in Philippians (1:6 & 28-29) and I know that God is with me.

I am unable to resolve relations with my family at this time and it feels like a big gaping wound that will not heal, but I am right where He wants me to be and there is grace in this place.

"He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"

When people clash it may seem to your adversary like you are ruined or lost (perdition) but in all actuality what looks like your ruin or loss to men, is your salvation to God.

My parents cannot fathom that being outside a relationship with them just might be my salvation. They can only view me and my decisions as wrong or bad. This face off of sorts is so very painful but verse 29 of Philippians 1 says that we are to suffer for His sake.

God is doing something within my family right now. He is doing something within me. He is faithful and He will finish what He started. If, while He is finishing what He started, things, for a time, look bleak, who am I to halt the process just so that I may feel better for a few moments?

What looks like loss and ruin is my salvation through suffering.

Labels: Philippians 1

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