I'm not one usually to question why....my God is an awesome God, bigger and more complex than I can imagine (I well remember the day He got out of my box)....and He holds me and my world in the palm of His hand......
However for the last couple of days I have been thinking on the immortal question of "Why?"
I get up everyday....feed the dog, get ready for work...go to work, come home, eat, do a few chores, watch a little TV, sleep and start it all over again...with a second job thrown in for fun, and I mean that literally...my hubby pretty much does the same...we live in a city, in a state...alone...my mom lives with us but other than that...we have no friends, no family, no church, no anything...our kids are in 3 different states....each of them is on a similiar treadmill...waiting for their lives to happen....each of us are basically alone....each of us are bored and restless...mostly we each have very good reasons for being where we are...and the distinct inablilty to "get out" of our situations....and it isn't just for a moment either....this has been the situation for months...years for some of us.....so back to my question..."Why?" What is the Lord doing?
I am reading Hinds Feet in High Places....and like Much-Afraid...I have been to the Desert of Egypt, and the Mountain of Injury, walked through the Valley of Humiliation and suffered the Valley of Loss..maybe a few times on some of these...I have spent what has seemed eons near the Sea of Loneliness....
But just now,.... at this point in my life and my walk with the Lord...I have no idea of where I am...where we are, myself, my hubby, or my children....I have no clue what He is doing with us. It seems we are all wandering....it seems somewhat desolate....perhaps more for some of us than others....but it is not the desert...I sense my Lord is here...I can drink from His well at any time, there is food though is is not tasty.... but this is definitley not a lush garden or a valley of great beauty....it really just seems like a place of nothingness......and I'm wondering as I'm wandering ...."Why Lord?.... what purpose is there in this?.....how long, Lord? When do we get to start or re-start our lives? Is this it? (ok so I have more than one question..)
I really am getting the idea that Limbo is a real place...perhaps it should be written into Hinds Feet....the Plains of Limbo....
What of value comes from limbo...? hmmmmm?
18 comments:
i betcha He reads your blog and is smiling.....keep asking, me, cheryl....i got treasures for your life that you literally cannot imagine....secrets that i wanna tell you....
The sea of loneliness....seems vast and deep.....
Perhaps you've simply skimmed another beach side of it.....
The questions....I agree seems the more I love Him the more questions there are and even though I find fewer and fewer REAL answers in the questions I sense Grace and Him...I don't know if that makes sense but it seems to be my experience right now...even today....thanks for this....
You aren't asking any questions that Jesus didn't ask. IMO, the why questions come when we really are tired or weary of living with the Mystery of God. Like you, I don't dwell in that often. I find that in those times, it may not be about us.
I had the feeling early this morning that suppose to pray for someone but I never could get a clear answer of who so I prayed for the unknown. The prayer is always the same - no matter who or what. That the God who invented mystery would be real in someone's heart and life. Maybe, it was for you????
This is one of the most real and honest blogs I've ever read ~ and it touched me so deeply. You voiced what a lot of people feel but are hesitant to say for fear of being judged either ungrateful, down in spirit or some other nonsense. I have no way of knowing how many go through times of limbo, some seem continually up and purpose driven. I've had those limbo times myself, and am kind of in one right now. It certainly a different stage of life I'm in now. I do know it causes me to draw closer to the Lord...maybe that's the reason. I'll pray for you if you'll pray for me!
What a beautiful and honest post...I guess if we didn't have the "why's" then we wouldn't NEED Him so much...we aren't here forever...I believe there are lessons we are here to learn and people we are to touch...that's a good start as to why we are here.
I heard a neat song the other day...don't know who sings it, but the chorus went something like this...I'm just one day closer to you.
Isn't it nice to know that no matter how mundane our life is, when we put our head on that pillow we are just one day closer to seeing our Saviour...PTL!!
Your honesty is refreshing to my soul Cheryl. I am wondering the same things these days. Somehow I know that this shattering and pain are part of him. Part of the path he has set on the earth. I don't like this part!
You know we've been feeling the same. Just waiting. Waiting for something, anything to change. This lonely limbo is frustrating. Especially since we know there is a change on the horizon. I know we are feeling the same rut. Really did kinda hit us all at once, didn't it? I think for me, it's the first time I haven't been working toward some definite deadline or goal. The tides will shift again.
Limbo. I think it's because we are aliens here. This is not our home. We're longing for our Heavenly Home....
ah...what a day that will be when our Jesus we shall see....
Thank you Dear Father that your timing is perfect and that you hold dear Cheryl in your hand. You know every nuance of her future and you have incredible plans for her. Thank you for her faith and her testimony. Thank you for working your perfect will in her life and for opening her eyes to the lessons you have planned in this time of limbo.
I agree with Birmingham Girl..I believe that is one of the reasons I am so drawn to your Treehouse....I receive a breath of fresh air and an honest perspective. The Plains of Limbo is not such a bad place...however, if we tarry there too long we can become weary. I believe we come to that place alot in regards to different areas of our lives..I am there right now in my church life. There is a change coming, I can hear it in your questions. God has planted a seed with your restlessness. Sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone is the first step towards crossing the border out of the Plains of Limbo :)
Take "joy" in this quiet, boring, friendless period of time. That's just what it is ... a period. A blip on the radar map of life. Mundaness to the enth degree ... but at lease you're taking notice of your situation. Your spirit is stirring, restless in your situation. Usually this happens before great change ... Sometimes it's THIS notion that gets us up and moving on. We can't just always sit back and "wait" for things to just happen. Often, it's our restlessness that gets us up and changes direction.
Your words resonate deeply with me, Cheryl. Even as I go about my day, writing, doing my chores, encouraging folks who come my way, it's still lonely. All my loved ones think it strange that I do what I do, and I wonder sometimes, if Jesus returned tomorrow, if He'd find real faith among my own family members. That puts a real sense of urgency in my heart to keep praying--keep writing truth, BUT...it's not easy. That ol' sea of loneliness still washes over me, too. No church here yet, few real friends, and empty nest.
Ah, but I'm rambling...sometimes the mundane is harder than the crises...but He is there, too. He's been showing me things I wouldn't pay attention to if I weren't in such a lonely place.
love you bunches,
V.
Very provoking thoughts...Larry Crabb writes in Desiring God that these places are designed to get us to recognize that our greatest desire is really for God, even when we think it is for something else. Food for thought. I pray peace and LIFE to you!
Fret not my dear sister.
God, through His representative on the earth, will soon do away with Limbo forever....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5406552.stm
:-)
Hey Miz Cheryl,
I'm back...at least for the weekend...I'm thankful for that much of a blessing!!
I've missed you all so much!!
:-D
wow. Lots of replies on this one! I think when we're on a plateau or limbo as you call it. We need to stretch out and aim for God's will... maybe there is a reason for you're being there.. in that place.. spot... for a reason only God knows... or maybe it is time to move one.. my prayers are with you on that!
However! (hehe.. you knew there had to be one of those!) I know God placed you in this place... this blogsphere to encourage women such as myself with your kindness and friendship! And I'm blessed by your comments and your blog! So thank-you!
I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song
He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song
U2 40
Saying Hi :)
Your loved
Thanks for letting us peek into the window of your soul. My soul would read much the same at times! And most recently - I share the feeling of being in the same valley of "limbo"....
I believe that we were created to be connected - to be connected to the Lord and with each other...and I see the Lord stirring that hunger in a lot of us!
I am believing - like you and your sweet friends - that a breakthrough is around the corner...and know without a doubt that He sees and He cares - and He has NOT LEFT US!!! And maybe part of the "limbo" journey is to lead us back to being DESPARATE to find HIM.
May you feel His arms around you during this season girl And may a fresh "wind" of love come your way and refresh your soul~
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