Walking the Christian walk

THE REV. KIMBERLIE ZAKARIAN

Have you ever walked through a season of life and wondered, “Where is

God in all this?” Perhaps it is a season of loss, testing, or

depression.

There will be times in our Christian walk when we will not

understand what God is doing, nor will we necessarily feel his

presence. It is at these times that we must rely upon our faith,

blind faith, and let go and trust he is there.

In our lives as families, there will definitely be such seasons.

There will be times when we struggle with a child, have conflict in

our marriage, or perhaps have personal problems that affect us

deeply.

It is during these times that we may not enjoy the “joy” of the

Lord, but we know with gentle, and seemingly weak faith, that he is

walking through the season with us and will meet us on the other

side. That is when our faith is really the strongest.

When we reach the end of a particularly bad season, and we finally

attain an answer, we most often will look back and be blessed.

We may grasp a lesson more priceless than gold -- a lesson that

changes us forever, draws us closer to God and makes us better as his

child.

It is almost like the metamorphosis the caterpillar experiences as

it enters a cocoon, only to emerge a beautiful butterfly thereafter.

The cocoon may have felt restrictive, even suffocating had the

caterpillar been conscious, but at rest, he allows God to make the

necessary changes that nature requires. And once he emerges from the

restrictive cocoon, he flies to heights he never could have climbed

as a caterpillar. This illustration may help with understanding why

our Lord allows such trials to come our way, and why he wants us to

rest in trust during them.

So, if you find yourself in such a time today, this week, this

year, do not flay about. Know you are in the Lord’s hand.

He is waiting for you to stop fidgeting about in his palm and

allow your resistance to give way to a calm trust. He is holding you

securely and will gently set you down upon sturdy ground in the days

to come. You will emerge from your cocoon and soar to heights

unimaginable before, all because your maker allowed such a trial --

if you will allow him to guide you through these bumpy periods.

The other day my daughter and I sat parked in our community and

watched in wonder as hundreds of butterflies emerged from the bushes

and flew in masses heavenward.

It was awe-inspiring to observe the splendor of these creatures.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the

nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10, Holy Bible,

New International Version). That is the kind of God we serve -- a

butterfly maker.

* The Rev. KIMBERLIE ZAKARIAN’s column runs alternating Fridays.

Reach her by e-mail at holyhouse9aol.comor by mail at Holy House

Ministries c/o the Rev. Kimberlie Zakarian, 9641 Tujunga Canyon Blvd., Tujunga, CA 91042.