Monday, April 23, 2012

Italy- A Side Seldom Seen

Read through it all before you cast your opinion, readers. This post balances itself only when all parts are paid attention. 

Malicious and cruel, Satan hatefully uses the blessing of our heart against us. Gifted with the most unique quality the physical realm has ever known, our emotion has been turned against us in the most hurtful of ways. He has succeeded in turning something holy, pure, and unequivocally blissful into something twisted and shadowed. A Greatness turned to Weakness, we are at times left to the mercy of a man slaughterer, dark and demonic.
A side seldom seen by most is the most realistic one of all. Inescapable, inevitable, and powerful. But highly overestimated. This side of all of us continues to put on airs, raising itself on a throne higher than it ever was meant to dwell.
Sitting lonely in a crowded room, the weaknesses of the flesh continue to creep up and remind us of our imperfections. Smiling wide to hide the aches of the heart, we force ourselves to feel to convince ourselves that we're still alive.
 A sleeping sailor will sail no tomorrow sea. This weakness threatens to crush and break all those who have fallen asleep.
When we serve a congregation to our best, what do they see but only what we show?
They only see the signals we send out. They only see the flags we fly. They only know the masks we wear.
They seldom see the times we cry. They seldom know of the sleepless nights. They seldom heard the words of a wavering soul. The seldom see the pain behind the smiles. And the same for us towards them. Imagine what we don't see.
They seldom see us nap on the trains and buses from exhaustion. They seldom see us break down in private. They seldom see the times we've fallen asleep on coffee bar couches, or the times we've been dragged out of bed and through the day by the ones that know us the best. The same goes for us towards them. Imagine what we don't see.
Imagine what the brothers serving as Elders and Traveling Overseers experience...

The conclusion of the matter is: Well worth it. Every bit.

Even as Satan himself twists our fragile beings against us, Jehovah is there to delicately heal our broken spirits. Imagine the pain of heart as he sees the weakest of his creations put through the worst of pains, torturing them emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Imagine for just a moment what he is forced to see everyday of his dearest little children...never were they supposed to know such pain. Imagine, though, how he feels when they raise up from the blood that stains their clothes and skin. Such pride he must feel when his fragile, weak little children prove themselves more mighty in heart and resolve than his powerful spirit sons who have not proven faithful. When we fight and give forth the blood, sweat, and tears that he receives with such happiness, he records every single moment. Not a day goes by that he doesn't see how we suffer. Not an hour does he turn his eyes from us. Not a single moment in our lives are we invisible to such love from our God, Jehovah. 
Whether we serve in a capacity that allows further privileges because our circumstances allow such, whether we are doing what is possible for our abilities hampered by weak flesh, whether our responsibilities require close attention to a family and its spiritual needs, or anything else, Jehovah records all of is as equal value when we give him all our best.

Brothers, Sisters. We serve at a time that history will never forget. Mankind's salvation, Jehovah's vindication of his name, the restoration of his Eternal purpose. We are not the type that will shrink back to destruction. What a privilege we have...what a blessing to live at such a time as this.
Shall we make our choice to stick close to each other, no matter the pains that come? Shoulder to shoulder, let us serve our God with zeal and joy, ever loyal as we march into that new world. What do you say?

~T

Ps. Haha, let me clarify. Some have asked me if my last post about a 'game changer' meant I was dating. Nope. I'm still very single. More clarification to come as I can. :]

4 comments:

  1. That's true. Everybody is dealing something. Even more reason to be forgiving and let things slide with our brothers.

    Hurry up on that clarification :-)
    Please and thank you

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  2. Wow. Powerful, powerful writing. (That's two 'powerfuls') I can't even put in words what a nerve this struck with me. I honestly don't even know what to say (yes, it's a miracle) ... so I'll repeat my favorite bits. "Sitting lonely in a crowded room, the weaknesses of the flesh continue to creep up and remind us of our imperfections. Smiling wide to hide the aches of the heart,we force ourselves to feel to convince ourselves that we're still alive." ~ "They only know the masks we wear." ~ "Imagine what we don't see." ~ "Such pride he must feel when his fragile, weak little children prove themselves more mighty in heart and resolve than his powerful spirit sons who have not proven faithful." This was honest, heartbreaking, and uplifting all at the same time. Thank you for sharing your amazing gift of words, yet again.

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  3. I say that your words are powerful, touching, and oh so true. My vote, upon reading the entire inspiring post is YES. :-) Sending prayers and sisterly love through virtual space--keep up the good work, Trevor

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  4. If only you knew how timely this post was. Whatever fight we are fighting, it can be easy to forget that there is not a moment that Jehovah leaves us alone, that he does not feel our pain.
    Thank you for your tremendously encouraging reminder!

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