Today's dilemma

My dear one,

I faced a dilemma today, and I am still not sure if I made the right decision. I chose the option of silence, fearing that any action might appear to be "breaking logs and throwing leaves too vigorously," rather than the intended "cracking twigs and rustling leaves." Especially since the Lord seems to have closed that chapter with a whispered, "No - not now, at least." Perhaps this tendency of mine, this hesitancy, this quietness, seals my fate. But nothing is impossible with God. If He wants you to pursue me, then He must give you the wisdom to know if, when, and how to initiate a closer friendship.

In other news, I spent some time this evening determining what to do about tomorrow's election ballot for the state primaries. I have not been following any of the races closely, but always want to make somewhat-informed decisions at the polls!

And finally, by way of encouragement, I share with you some thoughts from my pastor's sermons yesterday, both of which were especially heartening to me in this season of life. In the morning he spoke on the Christian's fullness of joy ("that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" - John 15:11). It is Christ's desire that His people be filled with His joy, which rests in their union with Him!

• Is our joy hindered because of sin? Christ is able to cleanse us of all our sin.
• Is our joy hindered because of trials and difficulties in life? Christ has promised to give us grace in the midst of all our trials.
• Is our joy hindered because friends have left us? Christ is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother.
• Is our joy hindered because our circumstances have changed? Christ never changes.
• Is our joy hindered because of health problems? Christ's strength is made perfect in our weakness, and He is sovereign even over our health issues.
• Is our joy hindered because of the sins of others against us? Christ was sinned against and reviled not when He was reviled.
• Is our joy hindered because we feel worthless, poor, needy, and we think no one cares? Christ loves us with an everlasting love. Psalm 40 tells us that though "I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me."
• Is our joy hindered because we feel let down? Christ was wounded in the house of His friends - He understands what it is to be treated that way, but He faced it all with joy.

And then in the evening he spoke on God's promise to Abraham ("Is anything too hard for the Lord?" - Genesis 18:11). 

• God's covenant is unchanging: He promises to save, sanctify, sustain, satisfy, seal, and secure His people. 
• In God's set time, He did as He had promised for Abraham (note the 25+ years that passed from the time God first gave Abraham the promise of his son Isaac!). Our times are in His hands. Our ways are not His ways. 
• God fulfills His promises for His own glory. 
• Because of Christ, God's promises are sure - all His promises find their "Yea" and "Amen" in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20)!