Much-Afraid

Lately I've been reading Hinds Feet on High Places, which has really made me think more than usual. The book is an allegory about our walk of Faith in Christ (and with Him). Much-Afraid is the main character and she is following the Shepherd to the High Places, with her companions Suffering and Sorrow. Meanwhile her Fearing relatives are close behind (Bitterness, Resentment, Pride and Craven Fear) doing everything they can to bring her back to where she's from: The Valley of Humiliation. It's a book that I can relate to vividly. If each Christian were honest with themselves I think they would be able to pinpoint their greatest foothold or sin issue- mine is fear.
Much-Afraid goes through many trials and painful situations that the Shepherd brings her through, while trying to fight off the extremely persuasive comments of her relatives. She fails, stumbles and doubts, and each time she does she (eventually) cries out to the Shepherd to rushes to her side instantly. He never condemns, never judges, never scolds. He is compassionate, full of love, understanding and grace. Yet each time she falls she fears him.
Again, I am so much like Much-Afraid. When I have hidden my face from Jesus because I haven't "measured up" in my mind, I cower in the corner like a dog afraid of being whipped. Never has He dealt with me in this way. Sure, He has given me different companions over the years like Suffering, Sorrow, Loneliness and the like, but these are to make me more like Him. These are tools he uses to mold and shape us into his likeness

² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1)

 Much-Afraid continues on her journey and with each trial trusts more in her Shepherd that she loves so much. She finally reaches the High Places and is transformed into what the Shepherd saw her as the whole time.
It's so dangerous as a believer to look at trials as something to rush out of. Sometimes we miss the lesson that God has for us. I know this all too well because, like anyone else, I don't like to feel uncomfortable. But it's necessary. Never once have I felt or read where God acted like a "meanie" in his dealings with His children. This life is about Him, it's about surrendering our schedules, agendas, hopes, plans, goals and ambitions over to His will and purposes. He wants to do so much in our lives if we will only turn to him like Much-Afraid and believe that nothing in the world matters except following the will of the One she loved, no matter what it involved or cost.