Seeing the Advantages

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 16:7(New American Standard Bible)

I marvel at Jesus’ compassion and graciousness. He not only told His disciples that He was going away but He gave the very reason His departure was necessary. Although they could not fully grasp either truth, He still gave it. Sometimes it is hard for us to see the advantages to the losses in our life, until long after the fact. With time and growth comes the realization of all that couldn’t or wouldn’t be possible if change had not been forthcoming and security blankets had not been removed.

I think back to many Bible characters who saw the removal of individuals from their life and also saw the necessity of those removals. God systematically brought people into their life to help prepare them for future ministry and work, and when the time was right, those individuals were removed. It was true of Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Samuel and David, Barnabas and Paul, and even Jesus and His followers. Each had grown use to being under their teacher, mentor, and guide. I am sure when the time for departure came, each had to wade through the thoughts of not being ready for the change yet. At the end of their life though they could look back and see all that God intended for them beyond the circumference of their once enjoyed companionship.

These truths minister to me and cause me to meditate on the advantages that came with the removal of one who played a significant role in my Christian life and journey. I would have been content to be under her influence and teaching for the rest of my life and struggled to see any advantage come from the severing of our relationship. For a few years I saw no advantage! After time and growth, however, the advantages are coming into view and I am convinced none of them would be possible without the change. Those advantages? I finally saw the full scope of my emotional dependency, I reached out to God in a way that was not possible before, I began searching for answers to questions I never asked before, I began learning truths about God I never knew before, and I poised myself to connect with God in a way I failed to do when someone of significance was available.

For me, it was a person. For others it may be the removal of health, wealth, or jobs. Whatever the case may be, know that God has advantages to birth through the pain and discomfort that will come. He is not arbitrarily playing with your mind and emotions. He is passionately bringing you to a place intimacy with Himself and usability for His kingdom. He makes no mistakes.

Father, help me to trust You during the times of removal in my life. You give and You take away. Blessed be Your name! Amen.

In His Time - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo-rGzx2OZk

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.