Dear Faith
Readers,
Recently I had the
opportunity to read Charles R. Swindoll’s book about God’s Will—What does He want
for me? This is a question I’ve
struggled with much of my life—as I’m sure many others have.
I read this book
to learn Chuck’s insight on God’s Will and the scars that many believers have.
In this book, an author believes God encourages scars. So many believers are
scared. It’s easy to take that point of view.
This book takes
the strong view that everything we experience, good and bad, is God’s plan and
His will—everything. When something bad happens to us it’s God’s Permissive
Will. God permitted it to happen. He admits many times throughout this book to
not understanding God’s Will—especially God’s permissive will; it’s a mystery.
I found the
section on how God leads us interesting. According to Chuck, God leads us with
the Bible, inner prompting of the Holy Spirit, and through the counsel of wise,
qualified, trustworthy people. Finally, God leads us into His will by giving us
an inner assurance of peace.
Another part I found
interesting is, The Truth About Holiness. Chuck says, His holiness assures us that he is
absolutely trustworthy. No deceitful agenda, no questionable motives. A model
of perfection.
The section on God
closing doors was also interesting. He says when God closes a door, He opens
another. He also says, a door that God closes, no one can open. A door that God
opened, no one can close.
He says most of
life is learning and growing, falling and getting up, forgiving and forgetting,
accepting and going on. He concludes this book by saying, God’s will—That’s
right, M-Y-S-T-E-R-Y.
I read this book
to get the perspective of a very big, charismatic minister. I thought his
answers on these troubling questions to be theological—seminary based. Interesting but not particularly helpful. Especially when he refers to these issues as a mystery.
God’s Will and the
painful things that happen as a result of us doing God’s Will are serious
issues for me. If these are important issues for you as well, stay tuned to this
blog.
Shepard
Cross
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