One of the first things that happens to us when we face tragedy or something doesn’t go our way is to ask “Why.” Think about it, have you been guilty of doing that? You get a flat tire “Why me?” A family member dies, often when we’re not prepared for it “Why them?” Or, in my case (today, at this moment), you book for a convention and arrive a day early with nothing to do, because in the past there were pre-conventions and other activities, whereas today there isn’t! What’s more, this year, unlike other years, I was driven by someone else! Then, our room key didn’t work, and we had to be let in by the person at the desk, two days in a row! So, I have arrived a day early, with someone in tow (or towing me), and a room that doesn’t let us in, and a day with “nothing to do.”
Unironically, I have books I’ve intended to read. He has a daughter at the college we’re visiting to stay with and some business to attend to. And the first book I’m tackling is “An Unhurried Life” by Alan Fadling. It’s almost like God is trying to tell me something (which, of course, He is.). I judge my life and my success based upon standards I have been taught, but do I ever go back to my source? Do I ever go back to God, and ask, not “why,” but “will you show me your purpose in this? Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. So why don’t we look at all things working together for our good, even when our house is hit by a tornado, or someone we love passes, or when we have a flat tire or when we book our hotels a day early. God uses it all for His glory, and our benefit. And isn’t this where godliness with contentment comes from? Loved ones, we don’t have to love our circumstances, but we can love God. And, we can trust that, no matter the Circumstances, it’s for our good.
Romans 8:18-30
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
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