Time Stands Still

I loved today's worship service and message! The message was given by one of our Theology profs here, one who I have spoken with individually, and his sermon today was great!


The sermon was "Honey, I Shrunk the Tribs"- (Tribs being short for tribulations) (for those of you not in America, the title is a spin off of the movie "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids."


The text was from 1 Peter 1:3-9- here are the last 3 verses: In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.


Anyway, he first spoke about time standing still. There are many moments in our lives where we wish time would stand still.


Personally, I reflect back on my life, and can think of many. To name a few as of late,


I wish time could have stood still as I played the joy-filled hymns on Easter morning.


I wish time could have stood still on Christmas Eve as my family gathered to open presents.


I wish time could have stood still during my Capstone teaching experience- to finally put all the work I've done in 3 years into practice was amazing.


I wish time could have stood still as I sat with Patricia Polacco at the Literacy Festival, and then listened to her talk. And then as I sat with Carmen Deedy that evening.


I wish time could have stood still when my former friend and I spent an afternoon in Lincoln hanging out.


I wish time could have stood still when I had supporting friends. I still do, the friends have just changed. Doesn't change that it hurts or the fact that I miss former fun times.


I wish time could have stood still before any of this happened. Years ago. Time could have stood still so I could have gotten the help I needed... before it was too late...


Even though I was sick during some of those times, they were days when I wish time could have stood still. Because I was at peace. And happy.


And while there are moments we wish time would stand still, there are also times during our life which seem like time stands still. Namely, those times which we are struggling, suffering, or experiencing tribulations of any kind.


It seemed like time stood still every time I had a panic attack.


It seemed like time stood still as I waited weeks for the psychiatrist to make an appointment.


It seemed like time stood still as the emotional pain ripped away at my body some long evenings that I lie awake.


It seemed like time stood still for the long four weeks where my nausea and uncontrollable vomiting were so severe that I barely kept anything down, and lost nearly 20 pounds.


It seemed like time stood still when I was bound to a wheelchair for 10 weeks.


It seemed like time stood still when I was abandoned by friends and couldn't relieve myself of the pain I felt of betrayal.


It seemed like time stood still on many other occasions where I was in so much turmoil and anguish that I said or did stupid things...


But, going back to the "Honey, I shrunk the Tribs" theme, at some point far down the road, and when I join Jesus in heaven, I will be able to look back upon these things and realize, God shrunk the tribulations. In 1 Peter, the text, it says suffer for "a little while."


Though it seems like at some points during the last 6 months, time has stood still, and I wished I could have Fast-forwarded through some events, I will realize that God shrunk the tribulations some day.


Because as my faith has held strong and steadfast through this journey, salvation will be mine. Isn't that great? It gives me chills just thinking about it.


And because of that, I will be with God some day in heaven. And time really will stand still as I am in awe and wonder of being in the presence of the almighty God, because I will be there for all eternity.


And as time stands still, I will be able to see through a window what grand scheme and purpose was accomplished through all of this, that the suffering and tribulations were nothing in comparison to the greatness God had in store for me.


Blessings:
-I got a lot of hugs today!


-Worship


-A "lie in" before worship- =)  (Ask me if you don't know what that means!)


-"work" with a great friend


-Listening to someone else's trials and offering support and help


-My project is coming along!


-A wonderful dinner with 2 people who are growing as close friends to me


-"It's great to see you!" (said to me after church today)