Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible women. Alas! how many would be shut out from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if this were the case. Beloved, it is not office, it is earnestness; it is not position, it is grace which will enable us to glorify God. God is most surely glorified in that cobbler’s stall, where the godly worker, as he plies the awl, sings of the Saviour’s love, aye, glorified far more than in many a prebendal stall where official religiousness performs its scanty duties. The name of Jesus is glorified by the poor unlearned carter as he drives his horse, and blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow labourer by the roadside, as much as by the popular divine who, throughout the country, like Boanerges, is thundering out the gospel. God is glorified by our serving him in our proper vocations. Take care, dear reader, that you do not forsake the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonour your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labour connected either with most daring deeds of faith, or with persons whose lives have been illustrious for holiness. Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are. Fill your present sphere to his praise, and if he needs you in another he will show it you. This evening lay aside vexatious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.”

 ~  Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening, June 27

John Piper is one of my favorite authors. I love his writing style.  I also love the fact that he weaves compassion into his exhortations towards obeying God’s commands.  He seems to come alongside his listener as a friend who understands and offers hope as a fellow grace receiver.  I appreciate that so much!

“When the Darkness will not Lift” is a small book with less than 80 pages. The fonts are a good size so it’s an easy read. It really could be read in one sitting which is a plus for those suffering from depression since the ability to concentrate is oftentimes affected. This small book is taken from the last chapter in a larger one called, When I don’t desire God: How to fight for joy. 

 Pastor John Piper points the reader to the bible’s exhortation of joy.

- Rejoice Always. (1 Thess. 5:16)

- Serve the Lord with gladness (Ps. 100:2)

- Count it all joy (James 1:2)

You can imagine how difficult this may be to hear if you were in a deep depression. Fight for joy when I’m depressed? That is the last thing a depressed person may want to hear. Pastor John acknowledges the difficulties for the depressed in fighting for joy. But,  then encourages you towards obeying the command to ‘rejoice always’ by giving helpful counsel from God’s Word on ways to continue in the fight. He writes that some believe this is adding another burden  but he resists that notion stating that the afflicted are already burdened down and by pressing them gently towards their duty, it will bring them freedom.. not a burden.. in the end.

One aspect of this book that I appreciated the most is that Pastor John Piper starts with our justification and sanctification found in Christ alone before He lays out ways we can fight for joy. A soul fighting depression oftentimes will ‘feel’ deserted by God. He writes how depression can shake a believer’s faith and the necessity of remembering where our justification is found and Who is continuing to work within us.  He continues to gently turn the ‘eyes’ of the believer on Christ to restore joy while still exhorting them to their duty to fight for it.

I put this book in my ‘car bag’ along with my crocheting. I took it into the doctor’s waiting room and the pharmacy and finished it in 2 sittings.

This book would be a great help not only for the depressed  but also for anyone who counsels and ministers to them. All of us have either experienced depression or known someone who has.  It will definitely have a permanent place on my bookshelf.

I’m still ‘waiting’ for direction from the Lord on our finances and whether I should find another part time job. But, while I am waiting, I didn’t want to give you the impression that I’m sitting with my hands folded and doing nothing. I am actively:

• Praying
• Keeping watch over my thoughts and repenting of any doubt, fear or worry that may surface.
• Doing all that I can each day to stretch the money we have coming in.
• Looking for ways to make money from home.

I love this poem that Elisabeth Elliot used to quote. I’ve repeated this tiny phrase to myself many times over the years when I may be overwhelmed with my workload or confused as to what to do next.

                                                                      DO THE NEXT THING

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…Eccl. 9:10

I think making lunch for my husband may be the ‘next thing’ for the time being. *Smile*

I’m not good at waiting. One would think that I should be good at it by now. The past five years have been filled with waiting. But, I still find myself impatient at times and trying to figure out the outcome of a situation before its time.  I can certainly identify with the children of Israel as they wandered through the desert.. not sure of the future and full of complaints.

I’m in that ‘waiting period’ again and continue to pray that God will strengthen me to bring Him glory as I reign in my worries and discipline my flesh to wait upon His answer and His timing. He is giving grace to do just that… day by day.. sometimes moment by moment.

Miss Alice (the 92 year old woman I cared for these past few years) fell soon after we moved to our own home and has been in rehab ever since. I feel so bad for her. Some days it looks as if she will come home and I’ll be able to care for her again.. other days… I’m not so sure.

(Please remember Miss Alice in your prayers)

My salary pays my medical insurance and a few ‘extras’ so I find myself trying to figure out what to do ahead of time. Do I look for another part time job? Will Alice come home? or should we just live on Kevin’s disability check which would not allow for medical insurance unless I go to a county facility? The questions often harrass me like a swarm of angry bees….  but then my heavenly Father will speak softly to my heart to… ‘wait’…. just ‘wait on Him’…..

Psalm 62:5 says, “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.”

I can see God’s hand so clearly over the path of my life. Oftentimes, I may be confused at the time and wonder what God is doing, but I love to look back over the years and see how He has worked the circumstances of my life together into a pattern of good. (Romans 8:28,29)

…I know He is in these decisions that are being made for us know.

So I purpose today Lord, by your grace, to wait upon You… with my eyes placed firmly on You alone….

 “Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress;

so our eyes look to the LORD our God,

until He shall be gracious to us.”

Psalm 123:2