Purpose For Pain

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” - John 3:8

That was Jesus talking to Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit. This is from my study Bible.

"Jesus' point was that just as the wind cannot be controlled or understood by human beings but its effects can be witnessed, so also it is with the Holy Spirit. He cannot be controlled or understood, but the proof of His work is apparent. Where the Spirit works, there is undeniable and unmistakable evidence."

That last sentence is huge.

It reminds me of a song by Sidewalk Prophets - Live Like That. There is a line in that song that asks, "Is there evidence that I've been changed?"

Have we been changed by the Holy Spirit? There should be noticable evidence - a "before" and an "after" of some sort.

Do you remember the band Creed? They were playing to sold out stadiums at one point but then they broke up. Twice. Their lead singer was named Scott Stapp. I watched an interview of his this week where he credited God for the change in HIS life.

"One thing that's great is God can take our messes and turn them into a message. He can take our pain and give it purpose." - Scott Stapp

Scott now speaks to mens groups about their struggles with addiction, child abuse, and depression. In the interview he mentioned a song he had written called Purpose For Pain. This is from that song:

There's gotta be more, 'cause life is insane.

Gotta turn this around and find the purpose for pain.

If we look at our own lives, have we suffered pain? Did a purpose arise from it? That purpose, the result of all the pain and suffering, is the proof that we've been changed. That change is the evidence that the Holy Spirit lives in us.

What then? Is there evidence that we've been changed? Does that evidence bring glory to God? It should. If there has not been a noticeable change from the pain in our lives, perhaps it is time to make a change.

Just remember, God makes amazing changes through His Holy Spirit. Any man-made changes can be subject to failure. Ask God to make a change in you today. And do it for HIS glory, not your own.

Purpose For Pain - Scott Stapp

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets