Many of you know the song “Blessed be Your Name” by Matt Redman. Almost a Christian worship classic by now, it is a song that has had particular meaning for me these past months.
Life as a follower of Jesus does not come with any guarantees of comfort or ease from the challenges in life. In fact, since Joel and I were married in 2008, our lives have constantly been filled with beautiful highs and challenging lows. Being a disciple has never been the “easy” choice. But I am convinced that it has always been the best one.
If you remember the email we sent back in November titled “The ANSWER to the question we’ve been asked the MOST”, Joel shared with you that we were wrestling with the question about whether I would be able to continue to practice medicine in France. To that point, I had already received some discouraging news from the regional Order of Physicians Savoie, but I felt like it wasn’t the “final word”.
Early in the new year, I felt God prompt me to pursue, once and for all, a definitive response to my questions. I investigated the possibilities and believed there was hope that my application may be accepted if I could convincingly present my case. So with the help of our French tutor, I submitted my formal application to the national Order of Physicians in France. Then, as a family, we prayed and surrendered it to the Lord.
In the meantime, Joel and I began several months of intense study in preparation for our French language exam. A requirement for us to move forward into more focused ministry with GEM, we knew this exam was a critical step for us to successfully pass so we could move on from hours of language study every week to focus on pursuing God’s heart for ministry to the people around us.
In the midst of this, on February 3rd, the response from the national Order of Physicians came:
My application had been refused…they would not accept a transfer of my medical credentials. To practice as a doctor in France would require several years of re-training and exams that would ultimately lead me down a long road away from what we truly feel God has called us to do here in France.
For me, I knew this was the “final word”. I had my answer.
That same evening (and many to follow) as I grieved the official end of my medical career, Matt Redman’s song replayed over and over in my mind.
Blessed be Your name, Lord.
On the road marked with suffering.
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name.
In March our French exam dates arrived. We first wrote the comprehension and written parts of the exam, then two weeks later the oral exam. They were in one word: stressful. Again, as a family, we prayed and surrendered it all to the Lord.
After 6 long weeks of waiting, we finally received our results via email last week: we passed! But not just passed… we both received crazy high scores. In fact I was convinced they must have made a mistake! Thank you God.
Blessed be Your name.
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s “all that it should be”
Blessed be Your name.
So, friends, what is my take-away from all of this? That no matter what life brings, God is worthy of our praise. Whether we are enjoying the gift of God’s provision and the joys during seasons of blessing… or experiencing darkness that comes in times of grief, suffering or pain, God remains good, faithful and worthy of our blessing.
Voila, these are 2 big developments in the Kennedy family that will, no doubt, affect much of what we will do here in France. I am certain as you are reading this, that you can also recall moments in your life where God has taken you through both great joys and suffering. So let me ask you, “How have you been able to bless the name of the Lord both in times of joy and suffering?” I would love to hear your stories.
