25 Jun Testing God at the Fork in the Road
It’s interesting how the Lord led me to this sermon. I was on the Brooklyn Tabernacle sermon site and saw Francis Chans name and realized I hadn’t listened to his sermons in forever. I hopped on over to his church’s site and then came across this title, Testing God at the Fork in the Road, which immediately caught my attention…. So here I am sharing a message I am so passionate about.
When I started Moms in the Making, I shared with the girls that the most important thing to me was that as individuals and as a group we pursued Christ more than we pursued our babies. I feel like this message is along those lines, but Todd Nighswonger said it 100 x better.
I’m going to get straight to the point:Â Do you want Christ likeness more than anything else?
What is it that you want? A husband, more money, a baby, a better reputation, new job, beauty, comfort, etc. Ask yourself this question:Â Would you rather have Christ likeness or (insert what you want here)?
If you are in a trial, what about asking yourself this question: Would you rather have (insert trial here) and look more like Jesus or not go through (insert trial here) at all?
It’s so easy to get caught up in a desire we have that it soon becomes an idol. It can be a certain diet with the desire to become more healthy, social media with a desire to become more known, trying every medical intervention with the desire to have a baby, etc. But, I think we are missing the mark when our desires become more important than Christ. Are you spending more time on what you want or spending more time getting out of the trial you are currently going through than spending time with the Lord?
How can we display Jesus to the world? When we grow to be more like Him, we display more of Him. That is why we are made in His image – so we can walk like Him, talk like Him, and interact like Him! He didn’t put us on this earth to bring us comfort, but He desires to mold us to be just like Him. The storms we go through are what refine us to be more like Him.
So what is it that you want today? What trial are you experiencing? Would you be willing to give your desire up if it meant that you were conformed to the image of Christ? It’s a tough question, but one worth asking. Who and what are you really living for?
We are fools for Christ,but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 1 Corinthians 4:10
Erika B.
Posted at 07:58h, 25 JuneThis is good- I need to listen to that sermon! I love Francis Chan!
jody
Posted at 08:00h, 25 JuneGreat message. This is the path I’ve been on since the beginning of the year. My husband and I have been “trying” to get prego for almost 10 years. When are daughter miraculously came into our lives by adoption 5 years ago, we stopped trying. So, with a 3 yr break in between it really feels like we’ve been trying for 2. All that being said, most of our marriage I’ve been consumed with trying to get pregnant. I really felt the Lord was telling me to “let go in 2014 and make this year about my husband.” It has not been easy, and I have gotten distracted at times, but every time, I get distracted I feel the Lord’s gentle bugging to “let go”. I started praying for the Lord to take the desire for morecchildren away…to have complete peace. For the 1st on 9 years, when a friend asked if we were still trying to get pregnant, I said “no”…end of story. I felt like I had lost 10 lbs off my shoulders. When I told my husband what I had said, the look on his face told me he felt the relief of “10 lbs” as well. I still feel like our family will grow, but if it doesn’t I want to be ok. I want to be peaceful…I want to be satisfied with the life the Lord has blessed me with.
I’m sorry to write so much, but this is a topic near and dear to my heart. Blessing to you and your husband.
dspence
Posted at 08:13h, 25 JuneThis reminds me so much of the work God did in our lives during 2012/2013 as we prayed for His will to transform our desires and expectations. Thank you for sharing today!
Amie
Posted at 08:25h, 25 JuneI love Francis Chan, his sermons always speak straight to my heart! Thank you for this reminder 🙂
Charity
Posted at 08:37h, 25 JuneLove this message Caroline. It hits home to me because I am a person that like comfort. Many times when I am in seasons of discomfort I have to remind myself to allow God to use the experiences to mold me instead of praying them away. When we were trying to conceive having a baby had consumed me so much it was a too priority, I didn’t know Christ like I do now but I was still consumed by the desire. The more I knew Christ the less in control my desire seemed to be over my life. I know it had become an idol. I am in constant watch of idols in my life because it’s so easy for them to come in when you are distracted and lose sight of God. I’ve been distracted now and asked him to search my heart to make sure it’s solely fixed on him. It’s definitely something that we will need to continue working at daily as Christians. Thanks for sharing this.
Elisha
Posted at 09:12h, 25 JuneI love Fancis Chan! Thanks for sharing 😉
Adrie | A Little Wife's Happy Life
Posted at 09:55h, 25 JuneGreat post. Great, great post.
I’m amazed at how much I’ve grown these past six months (in spite of my kicking and screaming the whole way), and while I’m not happy that we’ve had to go through this, I am glad that God knows what’s best, even when I’m not happy about it.
Meg
Posted at 11:04h, 25 Junefrancis chan would come speak at my college at least once a semester and you never ever would miss a francis chan chapel, they were always so packed because he is such an awesome speaker and truly lives for Christ
Tiffany (A Touch of Grace)
Posted at 11:26h, 25 JuneSounds like a great sermon! Really powerful stuff to think about.
Elaina
Posted at 12:16h, 25 JuneLOVE. Thank you for sharing.
Mel @ there is a higher hope
Posted at 12:36h, 25 JuneYes, we can’t love anything or anyone more than we love God. I have been guilty a lot of putting wants and desires ahead of Him. Thank you for posting this as I know I need these kind of reminders a lot.
Megan Davis
Posted at 12:50h, 25 JuneThis is a sermon I need to listen to…very, very convicting! Thanks so much for sharing!
Susannah
Posted at 13:38h, 25 JuneWhat a wonderful reminder! Babies (or anything else that takes up our thoughts/actions) are not bad in and of themselves but we really do need to be making sure that our first priority is ALWAYS the Lord!
Heather @ Mrs Southern Bride
Posted at 14:31h, 25 JuneBeautiful reminder! <3
Barbara
Posted at 14:38h, 25 JuneThank you so much for that refreshing reminder. There is always a reason for everything in God’s plan for our lives-the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Can’t wait to read more of your posts! *runs off to read some older posts*
Kelli {A Deeper Joy}
Posted at 16:11h, 25 JuneMmmm so convicting! I needed to read this today and sent it to my hubby. I’m just so unsure of our future that I may be putting it before wanting to be Christ-like. Thanks for this, Caroline! Needed it!
Kim Adams Morgan
Posted at 16:31h, 25 JuneWonderful message, Caroline. It is easy to get lost in our pursuit of so many other things. I know that He is the first and last place I run now and I pray I never forget it. I keep great Christian friends around me just in case I need reminding, LOL.
Rhonda
Posted at 17:51h, 25 JuneThank you for sharing this.
Jojo
Posted at 19:22h, 25 JuneI think we sometimes forget that we need to be selfless not selfish. It can’t always be about what we want in life.
jennifer prod
Posted at 19:54h, 25 Juneoh gosh, i needed this. next time i feel myself growing anxious and panicky, i will remember this and know that the trial is only helping me to be more like Jesus. you always have such wisdom and advice – it’s inspiring 🙂
Amy
Posted at 05:25h, 26 JuneCan’t wait to listen to this sermon- I am always challenged by Francis Chan’s messages, but they are also hard to listen to! I feel like lately I have been getting spiritual “milk” and should be taking in the spiritual “meals.” Thank you for being bold!
Tania // Run to Radiance
Posted at 10:36h, 26 JuneWell…..that was super convicting! Ah! My answer sadly is no. I definitely pursue other things with much more excitement and energy. Time for a heart adjustment!!
Julie @ Girl on the Move
Posted at 15:13h, 26 JuneThis was the exact message of our Bible study last week and it really made me think! Because I’m not sure what my answer would be…but I pray my answer becomes that I desire God more than anything else!
Allison
Posted at 17:35h, 26 JuneWhat a great post, my friend! I think the trials and tribulations make us who we are, especially if we are further strengthened by Christ! Yea, it would be “nice” not to have to struggle with issues (such as fertility), but I know I am so much closer to God because of it.
Gen Delali
Posted at 06:23h, 27 Junegreat post! i need to focus on Jesus every single day.
Jessah
Posted at 20:32h, 27 JuneWith infertility, it is easy to get too caught up in babymaking. Great reminder.
Whitney
Posted at 11:46h, 02 JulyHey! Just found your blog from the Jack of all Trades link up! Glad I did, it’s super cute 🙂 Excited to be following along now via Bloglovin!