The Explanation For Our Difficulties

Oswald Chambers; My Utmost for His Highest.

. . . that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us . . . —John 17:21
If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17 . It will explain exactly why you are where you are— because Jesus has prayed that you “may be one” with the Father as He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or do you have some other goal for your life? Since you became a disciple, you cannot be as independent as you used to be.
God reveals in John 17 that His purpose is not just to answer our prayers, but that through prayer we might come to discern His mind. Yet there is one prayer which God must answer, and that is the prayer of Jesus— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22). Are we as close to Jesus Christ as that?

God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn’t ask, “Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?” No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy. If we will pray, regarding our own lives, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42), then we will be encouraged and comforted by John 17, knowing that our Father is working according to His own wisdom, accomplishing what is best. When we understand God’s purpose, we will not become small-minded and cynical. Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself, just as He was one with the Father. Some of us are far from this oneness; yet God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him— because Jesus prayed, “. . . that they all may be one . . . .”

After the Fast

The Fast ended and life continued.

I was tired of trying so hard to please my manager. I'd hit bottom, there was no further to fall. Something snapped and suddenly I wasn't going to try so hard any more.

Standing at the bus stop one morning, I had a brief conversation with God in which I expressed my frustration. Then I had a light bulb moment, I was reminded that my life is not about me, it's all about God and His purposes to perform, even when it makes no sense to me. I was helpless, unarmed - a reminder that I was nothing without Him. My attempts to twist His arm, begging Him to perform miracles didn’t work. He chose to do what He willed, even if it meant looking foolish which I did. I remember thinking, "This must be what it's like to be stupid and totally clueless. Your head is spinning, you don't know whether you are coming or going." But how God was using this for His glory remained a mystery to me.

To The Uncertain Mom

Who thinks she is not mom because nobody calls her mummy.
Who thinks she is not mom because she hasn't gone through 9 months of pregnancy.
Who thinks she is not mom because the ones who would call her mummy are gone or not yet here.

You may not have carried life in your womb or nursed a baby at your breast but you have carried a baby and rocked it to sleep, stayed up at night to help with a sick, cranky child. You have said a prayer for a little one, you have … Happy mother’s day!

You cried as your body writhed, saddened by the premature separation from the life being formed within. You carried the lifeless body, stared at the undefined mass. Nobody knew. Everybody knew. Your body took form. There were whispers in the dormitory, the lecture theatre, the office corridors, the neighborhood. Now, there is no evidence except the scars marked on your heart, on your body, on your … Happy mothers’ day!

You spent days together, you spent years together but quickly and yet slowly, the air was sucked out of both of you when you laid that precious life…less. Friends, toddler mates, class mates, crib mates will never see again, even forget existence, but not you, the memory is fresh, it’s yesterday, it’s today, it’s now, it’s … Happy mothers’ day!

The time has not yet come, it’s already gone, it’s here, you wait, patiently impatient. Forces work for, against you; a soul mate, a medical condition, time, age, your body, you are still a mother. Happy mother’s day!


You have mentored, advised and shared what “mama always said…”. You have been to the desert and back with a hurting friend - your sleeve drenched with their tears. You wiped a snooty nose, kissed a boo boo, hugged a kid (they come in all sizes you know?!) especially when afraid, disappointed or plain ecstatic. Happy mother’s day!

Daughter, sister, girlfriend, whatever title you choose – here is a flower for each day of the week.