God’s Megaphone

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I was blessed in listening to a sermon by Elizabeth Elliot recently about suffering. She shares many inspiring insights in her YouTube series, "Suffering is Not For Nothing". She is deceased now, but she had her share of trials in life, including the murder of her missionary husband by Auca indians in 1956 when she was a young bride. She shared this quote that was quite profound:

"Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God." - Janet Erskine Stuart

The Bible also highlights this truth in Psalm 16:11 (ESV). "You will show me the path of life; in Your Presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Somehow we often think that if everything is going well in our lives it will bring joy. No trials, peaceful days,  smooth sailing = joy, right?! That is what the world wants us to believe. Some of the most miserable people look great on the outside. It's easy to put on a smile, but even the sad lives and suicide rates of some of the rich and famous show us that joy must come from a deeper source. Joy and peace are often found by  wrestling with God in the trenches through trial. Some days I feel stuck in the trenches, but through it all I have an abiding sense of His Presence. 

Another thought provoking quote Elizabeth shared:

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." - CS Lewis. 

Somehow the "megaphone" of trials is a special gift to get our attention and draw us to depend on Him. Let's choose to trust Him through the pain and question marks, experiencing joy in His Presence... today and always.

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