The Measure of Experience

During a conversation around our table this last week, I was called upon to explain a truth that has been lived out in my life countless times. In fact, it has become a way of life for me and yet I had never thought on it in such a way as to put it into words. Having been called upon to explain this truth afforded me two precious lessons.

First, as Christians, we are called upon to explain what we believe in a thousand situations covering a full spectrum of truths put forth in Scripture. In being called upon to explain this particular truth, I had an answer. So, many times I am caught thinking to myself, "Now, how am I going to answer that?" as I search for how to put into words what I have been taught concerning the truth in question. While it is not wrong to approach a question in such a manner, it is not as effective as the ready reply. So what makes the difference? That is the first lesson I learned. The difference is the measure of experience. Instead of being asked to explain something I had been taught, I was being asked to explain something that has become a way of life for me. One does not need to ask oneself how to explain what they personally experience. The words are ready and certain. Oh the importance of applying the truths of Scripture in our lives. For in this application, we are made ready to give an account. It is not the mental learning of the truths of Scripture that fully prepares us; it is the daily application of the truths learned that fully prepares us. For in the daily application of that mental learning, those truths shine a light on our daily lives enabling us to see that the effect of those truths is indeed our daily experience.

Secondly, in being called upon to explain there is the added benefit of having that truth, that said principle of Scripture spelled out before you, renewing your wonder in a truth which you may have begun take for granted due to the fact that it is now your daily experience and not a recent learning such as you may marvel at. In being called upon to explain, there is set before you the precious opportunity to define your experience such as it relates to the principles of Scripture. The benefit here is twofold. 1. The principles of Scripture are continually before you in a clearly defined manner. 2. Seeing the principles lived out, by God's grace, in such a definite way gives you a clear view of the work God is working in you toward His good purpose. What a joy for the Christian!

"What was the topic of conversation that initiated this post?" you ask. A wrestling with the trials of life. We can be assured that the trials will come, God has promised they will. We can be assured that God's mercies are ever present, Scripture says they are new every morning. However, due to the nature of man, it is easiest to see the trials. As Christians, we must look for the mercies. The more we look, the more we will see. As we identify the mercies of God that touch everything in our lives, more of who He is and how very blessed we are comes to light and we begin to live a life of gratefulness to the Lord in every circumstance be it a time of trial, tribulation or ease. In this life of gratefulness, our struggling against trial and tribulation ceases and we walk in the peace that God intends should rule our hearts.