They make Marine boot-camp look like a leisurely Sunday picnic.
This is a very interesting observation, Quix. Our pastor had been preaching through Ecclesiastes a verse at a time. Providentially, for 2 weeks just before emergency surgery, it was Chapter 7 verses 16-18. On the Friday immediately after verse 18, unexpectedly an MRI identified a meningioma tumor in my head about the size of a small lemon. I was rushed to the hospital, and it was removed on the next Monday. But between, The God, my Heavenly Father, spoke to me through those verses -- a reminder and an admonition. Clearly it was for greater growth in love and service.
For a long time, comparing Marine training with God's continual training had occasioned many insights as to His methods, after some meditation on His writings. In this amazing experience, I think He pointed out to me that to become a Marine, the recruit must have his will broken (not his spirit!) so that he can be trained to behave,not according to his own will, but to the prescribed will set forth by the Corps and exemplified in the DI, in mature Marines, and in great leaders of The Corps.
I think this is what The God was allowing -- I began to recognize that over the years my own will had been broken more and more to conform more and more to His determined will as well as his preferred desire -- and learning through this craniotomy was just another (BIG!) step in this process.
Even after 39 years of being saved, I still needed to have my will broken more, more and more, to anticipate His Will to predominate, to be conformed to the image of His Dear Son. And -- to recognize this process is for everyone who wants to know Him better! Make sense?
Here's His admonishing -- a clear message to me:
"Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all."
(A brief note from your Heavenly Father)
(Sounds like a Celestial DI to me!)
(committed to memory in preparation for surgery, and after)
(Actually, God brought several Marine veterans to encourage my healing -- even the neurosugeon who removed my sutures!)
(I still need more brokenness to Him)
PRAISE GOD.
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!
CONGRATS ON YOUR GOOD SUCCESS through such a testing and trial.
BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH.
Thanks for your kind words and response. I think your examples are wonderful illustrations of Biblical truths.
YEA!
Am humbled by your clear personal experience example of what I was stumblingly trying to convey.