In the Classroom of Life

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 (New American Standard Bible)

My daughter came to me this morning out of frustration over an area in her life. Things are rubbing her the wrong way with some people in her life and I understand the look and heart of discouragement and confusion that presently mark her path. I listened to her vent and just as my “mama bear” instincts wanted to step in and protect, the Lord brought a question to mind that has produced a red flag on those instincts. It is simply this, “What is it God is trying to teach her at this moment and in this circumstance?” While it is easy for each of us to focus on the circumstances and people in our life, God wants to do a work in us. He wants to teach us the way in which we should walk.

When it comes to my daughter, I can see a number of areas that God might be targeting in her. As an adult she is going to find more and more that many of the lessons will be learned in the difficult and uncomfortable areas of life. It may be patience. It may be gratitude. It may be contentment. It may be a fresh realization that our life is not our own. It may be endurance. It may be faithfulness. Fortunately for me, I do not have to be the one to figure it out for my daughter. That is our Father’s responsibility. As I pray for her and entrust her situation to Him, He will be faithful to reveal to her what it is He is trying to teach her. The rejoicing will come as she allows Him to do that.

It is the same with each of us. The unfair, uncomfortable, and uneasy parts of life are the tools God is using to teach us what we need to learn. They are the classroom whereby God is instilling in us the qualities and characteristics that are meant to be ours as we are daily being conformed to the image of His Son. They are the sandpaper He is using to take off the rough edges in us and part of His workmanship in us.

I know better than to think that God is showing me this truth only for the sake of my daughter. He intends that I see this truth for myself as well. As I go through today, I will be asking myself (many times) “What is God trying to teach me?” As I do that, life will become less about the hard parts of life and more about the lessons He has designed for my walk with Him.

Father, help me to be more aware of what You are doing and what I am to be learning as You do it. My daughter belongs to You and I rejoice in what You will teach her and me! Amen.

Make Me A Servant - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rznoe3zKxM&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.