John Flavel: Ordained

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Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

“God kills thy comforts from no other design but to kill thy corruptions; wants are ordained to kill wantonness, poverty is appointed to kill pride, reproaches are permitted to destroy ambition.”

John Flavel (1630-1691) in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 7.

On this long trip, on days when I have not had comforts, I am reminded that perhaps I wanted them more than I should have. In times of need I have found that God not money is what carries me through any and every situation.

Of course I favor good days over tough ones, but God ordains and allows these difficulties to kill the aspects of my character and flesh that need to die. He allows wants, poverty, and reproaches to help make me more like Christ.

I have learned some of these lessons first-hand on my long journey and pray they help me serve more generously on my next trip. I pray they help you too. For now I am thankful to head home to see Jenni, Sammy, Emily, Sophie and Peter.