Loving or Cruel? Understanding the Thorn in the Flesh...

Picking out the perfect outfit, going to a fun restaurant, the perfect cup of coffee...No one would argue that these are all fun perks of the life.  They are activities and gifts that are meant to be enjoyed, and believe me, I enjoy every bit.  The struggle is that I am drawn to making decisions that make me both happy and comfortable.  Anyone that knows me, knows I am a planner.  When I think about the way I structure my days and how I make plans, the motivating factor is usually Britt (even though I hate admitting that).  It is not until something happens within the world, or my life, that I quickly tend to prioritize my plans.  Suddenly, plans start including loving, serving, and paying special attention to others.  For Christians, the top priority in life is to Glory God, to know Him, and to make Him known. When I'm at my best, my attention is focused more on who I can love and serve that day, rather than how I can please self.

This is why I finally start to understand why God sent Satan to put a thorn in Paul's flesh. It sounds like a cruel act, but the Lord caused hindrance for Paul in order to humble him.  Paul saw visions and revelations from the Lord (2 Cor. 12:1-2), he writes "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." 

Paul prayed three times for the thorn to be removed, but God did not remove it.  While the thorn remains, God promises, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (vs. 9).  Christians should not seek comfortable lives, but rather the will of God.  We see Jesus plead three times for God to "take this cup from me" in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 13:32-41), but God knew that Jesus needed to be crucified for all mankind.

Coming in to 2015, my prayer is that I'll gladly submit to Christ and pray for humility rather than comfort.  I know that I have a good father, who disciplines those he loves.  While I am not hoping for a thorn in a flesh, I do pray that the Lord disciplines me as a good father would.  As stated in Hebrews 12:5-6 "do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son....for what son is not disciplined by his father?"  I pray that I'm convicted when I start to become prideful and selfish, so that I may experience the true joy of Christ and his bigger plan.  Someone once told me that the most mature men and women in Christ see their weaknesses more clearly because they are comparing themselves to Christ and not others around them.  I hope to start seeing Christ as the standard, so that more of my weaknesses are revealed because "His Power is Made Perfect in my Weakness."

Hopefully next time I'm looking for the perfect outfit, I'll be thankful for the clothes I have. When going to a fun restaurant, I'll think about how I can encourage the people with me, more than the menu.  When enjoying coffee I'll get time to think about what a good Father I serve.  And in both fun times and trials, I'll rely on Christ's strength as I'm well aware of my weakness.