Last week was a tough one. I believe we all have those days or weeks when we start out and are at a good place - our hearts are at peace. Then with one slip - our world can turn upside down. While in the midst of the chaos and confusion, we become frustrated, scream out in anger and sometimes just cry. About mid week last week, I had done all these. As I had my time with the Lord this weekend and regrouped from the week, I was reminded of several things. First, in the big scheme of life, the events which took place weren't such a big deal. Second, they didn't have any eternal significance whatsoever. Third, I asked myself, "what can God do to glorify His kingdom through what happened". Romans 8:28 " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
When events happen that throw us a curve ball, we all have the initial tendency to jump on the road to disappointment. We all want things to go our way. It was at this place in my mind where I asked myself the question or perhaps God put it in my heart, "Am I seeking things to go my way or God's way?". You can guess the answer to this question. From a worldly perspective, we see a number of things which don't flow in life like we want them to. One example I will use is from our mission trip to Africa. When our team got to Africa, we had no luggage. We were handling it pretty well initially, but about the third day in the same clothes - frustration began to hit. We reached out through emails for people to pray for us to either be content or to get the luggage. The beautiful hidden hand of God in all of this was through our frustration and reaching out for prayer - people all over the US and Africa were praying and spending time with God. A sweet group of African youth got out of bed specifically to pray for us. Could it be our frustration and roads to disappointment are God's way of drawing us or others to Him? It was a sweet picture to me, envisioning all those people praying out to the Lord.
Lost luggage is only a small example. We can look at it on a larger scale of course. We all have big things in our lives that cause us pain - but I do believe the principle still applies. When we struggle or see our loved ones struggle through life, what do we do with this hurt? Do we jump on the road to disappointment or do we get on the path with God? Do we realize He is working through the heartaches, to get our attention and the attention of others...and ultlimately draw us all to Him? There are so many challenges and confusing things going on around us. Instead of buying into the frustration of it all, you can look to God. If you seek Him and take a closer look at the situation, you will get a glimpse of how God is using it for His good. God's hand is all over us. We will never be able to put all the pieces together to understand how He is working; but we can be certain He loves us. Trust God and know He is always there by your side pulling you to Him. Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
The ultimate example of this is the road to Golgotha/Calvary. John 19:17 "Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). " For the disciples and for many, the road Jesus was on before He was crucified was a big road of disappointment. However, God saw this road very differently. He knew it was for our good and a greater purpose. From a worldly perspective on that day, it was a day of hurt. However from God's viewpoint looking down, He was smiling and knew what this day meant...Salvation. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
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