A WOW week!!!

Testing and trials will come. Did you know the bible actually says that. Then why are we often taken a back by them? This week has been a dewsey in many ways but I am glad that the bible also says we can "finish well". So, here goes:
I have learned this week that faith often is strengthened by obedience and obedience without sight. I mean, when it hasn't been proven to you that something works or is the correct choice, how do you know to proceed or question? I believe you know by seeking the Word, and relying on that still small voice inside to confirm it.
Someone asked me if I would appreciate my time here if I never was priveleged enough to know exactly what it was all for....in my ignorance I immediately said " I would be upset to not SEE the fruit of my time here" But as I said I am realizing we are to live by faith not only by sight so if I believe that I was called by GOd to do something, and His word "can not return void, or without fruit" than I must be satisfied to believe that wether I can see the fruit or not, it must exist!

Only after realizing this, I was so priviledged to have had a 3 hour conversation with my roommate who is a new believer, and she opened up to me about how she views me and how her life this year has seemingly been changed by all she has seen and learned from me.....dude, this was heavy cause I never realized that people are most affected by how you live and not what you say....and my class, I am seeing the light bubls go on as I teach them about rabbis and disciples and law versus grace....it is the fruit I have been waiting for to SEE all of this and KNOW that I am here because He said GO....but I must not forget and be humbled by the question, if I never saw,or knew,would I be satisfied that His word says so??? WOW
The Word is the beginning, middle and end of everything and I am realizing that being in it answers questions, but breeds even more questions and maybe in this is the vitality of life that you always hunger for more? WOW

Another analogy ofthe week has come outta running....to be honest,I hate running! But I am doing it for physical exercise and everytime I start running it is like a conversation with GOd....a spiritual analogy, that you could never run a marathon the first time out because physically you are not conditioned to run, you don't have good breathing patterns, your muscles are week and then they get stiffand soon....it is a practice of endurance and discipline, and you cannot get prepared for it the day of the big race.The preparation comes before when there is no glory,no honor, but what? PAIN that's what.
Well, spiritually I am learning to exercie as well. This life is a race and I can not have it all figured out day one. When you start there is imminent frustration and then maybe success and stiffness where you feel stuck, but when you realize you must pace yourself, and that the whole body has to work together mind, body, spirit. Daily do one thing right, then another, then another and you build your muscles and as the days go on, you endurance and ability to withstand more in trial.....if my knee hurts, maybe it is the weak link and I need to strengthen it for the whole leg to function well.....so, if my attitude stinks, I need to strengthen it so my compassion and gentleness and grace can work well towards others!!!
I am tellin you, without training we are weak and unprepared and in the battle is no time for training....so before the honor and glory, there is sweat! this is WOW and I will keep running to build muscle even when it is not enjoyable!!!