Keep Moving!

Like I mentioned a few posts ago, I have been reading an amazing book for my Theology class called, Found: God's Will. Find the Direction and Purpose God Wants for Your Life by John MacArthur. An amazing little book! It was definitely a gift from God in this time in my life! Throughout the book, MacArthur tells us that in order for us to know God's will we must be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, suffering, and to do whatever you want.
I loved the whole book, but chapters 6 and 7 I really enjoyed. 6 was on suffering. MacArthur says,
"In the will of God, greatness follows along behind suffering, often far behind. And if a man signs on with Jesus with greatness in mind, he better be aware that suffering comes first. Otherwise, the will of God may begin to look pretty undesirable to him after he's been on the way a short time..... You may say, "But I don't suffer any persecution." Then maybe you're not living a godly life in the face of the world. But if you do suffer, it is a wonderful thing. The Spirit of grace and glory rest on you (1 Peter 4:14)."
To me that is such a comfort. At times, I feel like I have struggled way more than anyone else my age... I look at my siblings, and they seem to be living a "perfect" life. None of us have a "perfect" life. I realize that God used those times to teach me, to challenge me. "Suffering is linked with faith", MacArthur said. I wish I would have been walking in the light during those dessert times... but I hate to say I wasn't. And I wish I could say those suffering times are over. But they aren't. I did fall from God during those times in '07-'10... but what's different from then to now, is that now I'm walking in the light. Now, God has given me a hope, peace, and has opened my eyes to truth. I'm able to see Him at work, when during those 3 years, I couldn't. I still suffer. But God uses these times to make me stronger.

In chapter 7, keep moving (do whatever you want), is the last principle MacArthur talks about in knowing God's will. He says;
"So many people sit around waiting for that celestial crane to move them and saying, "I don't know what God wants me to do." They need to start moving so God can steer them to that area of service He has planned. Knowing God's will may mean pushing down a narrow line until you hit a dead end. At that point, God will open a door so wide, you won't be able to see around it - only through it!... You may bounce off a lot of closed doors but that is God's way of forcing you into His open one. Get rolling! Be persistent."
Keep moving! When suffering comes, don't stop! God is good, and I'm pretty sure He knows what is best for you.
It's sweet how God does things! Chapter 7 led me to my new memory verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (ESV) What a great God He is!