When reflecting on obstacle circle, I was brought back to my time in LOG as a high schooler. I was always anxious before and during the obstacle, wondering what I would say and how everyone would respond. I liked the sharing part but was always nervous that I wouldn’t say the right thing. I worried I wouldn’t be emotional enough and people wouldn’t think my obstacle was valid. However, despite these worries by the end of the afternoon I felt relieved, accepted, and at peace.
There is something so great about sharing what is on your heart to people who listen and love you unconditionally. Sharing is powerful for many reasons though, as it also shows that you are not alone. Many times in LOG I felt like I was the only one going through things. I felt isolated and alone and didn’t know who to turn to. But during OC, I was shown that everyone was struggling in one way or another.
I am not sure why we must face obstacles in life, but I do know that God uses these obstacles in a perfect way to unite us through our brokenness. When we all share what obstacle is causing us pain and heartbreak, we are united. God works through our obstacle to bring us closer together in relationship.
My favorite scripture, or heart scripture, is 1 Corinthians 13:12-13: “12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then; see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! 13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”
This scripture spoke to me because I have always wanted to find a reason for the pain in my life, an explanation of why I must endure what I am facing. But, as much as I hate to admit it, sometimes there just isn’t a reason that I can find. When I can’t find a reason for my pain, I get angry. This scripture gave me freedom to live in the unknown because I am able to trust that it won’t stay painful forever, and that God has a larger purpose in mind, I just may not be able to see it yet. It also gives three things you can always do, trust, hope, and love. LOG is a beautiful way to express that love. No matter what the participants are facing, we love them unconditionally, and that is exactly how God designed it.
Cara (Mastic) Largent (LOG #49)