We Do Know That All Things Work For Our Good - Right?

“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.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

 It is an amazing day in the garden! I am feeling confident. The arrows of sin cannot touch me because I know that all things will work for my good. The flowers have never been more beautiful. I am prepared today to cut a basket full of these gorgeous blooms and place them in a treasured antique vase on my kitchen table. Life is good!

 

In my happy mood I call out to the Master Gardner and ask him to walk with me along the pathways of my heart’s garden. I begin the conversation by saying, “Thank you Lord for your promise to me that in life all I set my hand to will work for my good. I’m so glad you are on my side. Being a Christian sure does have special privileges!”

 

Then HE speaks. Jesus begins to teach me, and for a moment I feel like we are sitting on a hillside near the Mount of Olives. His words are clear, gentle, loving, and kind. “Paula, I believe you have a bit of a misunderstanding here. I did not say all things in your life will work out good.  However, I did say in all things, good or bad, I will work in your behalf so that something will happen for your good. It is more about changing who you are, into who you will become as a result of the circumstance in your life. Make no mistake my dear child; there will be plenty of trials. Bad things will happen to all mankind. This is a direct result of living in this sinful world. Remember, I have called you and you have responded to my call. It is because you belong to me that I will work in your behalf. But you must not forget that this will be done according to my purpose for you and not your purpose for yourself. This will require that you simply trust me with all that concerns you.”

 

Then Jesus takes a pocket knife out of his robe pocket and begins to cut flowers, one stem at a time. He places each freshly cut flower in my basket. Each flower is uniquely different. With the cut of each variety Jesus teaches me his amazing truth.

Without sin –

you will never know the fragrance of the French lilac of my forgiveness.

Without failure –

you will never understand the hot pink mandevilla of my mercy.

Without crisis –

you will never experience the white lily of my peace.       

Without sickness –

you will never experience the fragrant herbs of my healing.

Without unfaithfulness –

you will never experience the foxglove of my faithfulness.

 

Without imperfection –

you will never know the gardenia of my grace.

Without despair –

you will never know the hellebore of hope.

Without unhappiness –

you will never know the jasmine of my joy.

Without fear –

you will never know the tulip of trust.

Without need –

you will never know the vibrant poppy of my provision.

Without blindness –

 you will never know the freesia of faith.

Without stress –

you will never know the velvet rose of my rest.

Without disaster –

you will never know my restoration of order.

Without pain and suffering –

you will never know the salvia of my sufficiency.

Without sorrow –

you will never know the purple clematis of my comfort.

Without rejection –

you will never know the lavender of my everlasting love.

Without bondage –

you will never know the fabulous green ferns of my freedom.

Without brokenness –

you will never know the wisteria of my wholeness.

Without death –

you would never experience eternal joy.

 “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.” Romans 8:28 NIV

 

Here in the garden today I see in a fresh and new way that living in this fallen world is disastrous if I do not look beyond my circumstance and into the face and heart of Jesus Christ. Without him none of us will ever find meaning in life, no matter what we do, what we achieve, who we know, what we have, what we have experienced, or what we have learned. Without Jesus we will come up short. Our life basket will remain empty, void of anything that is beautiful. Void of the gifts that only Jesus can give. BUT GOD…If we have put our faith in him alone, he has promised to help those who love him. Those he has called to live according to his purposes, not ours. When we live in his love we can learn how to give thanks in all things. Not for all things, but in the midst of all things. No matter how hard our circumstance may be we can always give thanks for the fact that he is using our trial to make us into someone beautiful. He is shaping us into his image and as a result we become more like him. Playing our trials forward is scary, but in the midst of every trial God is always there to provide the strength we need to trust him without experiencing fear. Our strength comes  the very moment we need it and never before.

 

I love the words “but God”, because those two words are full of love and hope. Those words are based on the sovereignty of God. Those words are full of his compassion and mercy for mankind. Those words are bathed in the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who wants to be our Lord and Savior. Life without Jesus Christ is both meaningless and void of hope. “But God” made a way where there was no way.

 

Yes, life is hard and we often long to be free of this world and its problems. We who know him long for his return and we often wonder why it is that he is staying away so long. The answer is clear. Because of his great love for his children he waits. He desires to gather more sons and daughters into his heavenly home. It is not his will that any should perish. So he is compassionate so – he calls. He is merciful so – he waits. Never do we see his mercy more evident than in the knowledge that he is waiting to gather more of his children into his courts. Even though we long for his return, He waits and we wait with him.

 

As Jesus pointed out to me this morning, I am NOT forgotten. As I wait, God pours out his goodness in my life every day. This side of heaven he is watching over all that concerns me. His good gifts are free and are designed to make me a better person. In all things he desires to work for the higher good in my life. Yes, I do know that all things work together for my good.

 

Today the Master Gardener and I gathered a basket full of gorgeous flowers that remind me of his precious gifts. As I leave the garden, I have plans to arrange this extra special assortment of flowers in a beautiful arrangement to be displayed in full view on my kitchen table. I anticipate that this arrangement will be breathtaking! Each and every time I pass by my beautiful flowers I will remember, my Lord is in all things, always looking for ways to bring about the highest good that will accomplish his eternal purposes in my life. This knowledge will make all my challenges bearable as I wait this side of heaven for Jesus to gather more of his children into his family. There is much rejoicing in heaven every time a child comes home. There is also joy in my heart this day as I reflect on the love my Lord has for me and for all those who know him. I also rejoice with those in heaven when a new soul is redeemed!

 

Questions:

1. Have you ever misunderstood today’s verse of scripture?
2. Do you trust God to take all of the awful circumstances in your life and work through those circumstances to bring about his good in your life?
3. Have you learned the joy found in the message of “but God”…?
4. Do you love the fact that as a result of every sinful circumstance God has an amazing antidote that is wrapped in his love?  

Prayer:

 

My Father, in heaven, holy is your name,

 

Father, I pray that your kingdom will come, and that your will is being done on earth as it is in heaven. Give me today my daily bread. Forgive me my debts, and help me to forgive my debtors. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one. Help me to know that his tactics are deceit, discouragement, depression, and despair, just to name a few. Forgive me when I doubt your goodness. Thank you for your amazing antidotes for all my trials. I praise you for your great love. Thank you that you are always at work in my life providing all that I need physically, mentally, and spiritually. I want to trust you completely because I know you love me. I also trust you because yours is the kingdom and glory forever.

 

Amen.

Singing In the Rain and Dancing In The Storm

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt,”

Jeremiah 31:3-4 NIV

Whatever has always been is not always what may be. This has been my experience this year. I have always been blessed with good health but this year God has reminded me that I am indeed made of dust and someday I will return to dust. My sister, Lou, often reminds me that growing old is NOT for sissies. I am beginning to agree with her. However, she has modeled for me an inner strength in the storms of her life that far surpasses any weakness that she could possibly ever experience. She may be my sister but she is in no way a sissy! Gratitude and grace define her outlook on life. Her trust in God is simple and sure. I am blessed that God placed her in my life as a very real example of how our health can crumble but God provides all that we need and is always more than enough.

 

Health issues seem to test people’s faith in amazing ways. I believe this is true because we are forced to face our own mortality. I am pretty sure that when a positive diagnosis is given to any of us from our doctor it is never well received. Even if we are a “triple-ripple” Christian with the highest marks possible from those in our circle of Christian friends, we are still vulnerable and open game for Satan and his demons as we begin the process of digesting our news and choosing to trust God.

 

On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the worst news possible, the condition of our health is still our own personal news, it is our road to travel, and it is our thoughts that have to be reconciled. I’m pretty sure there will always be others who have it worse than us and many we know will seemingly have it better. No matter where we are in our health journey, gratitude is always a good place to start. We can be thankful for our current blessings, our blessing of the past, our spiritual blessings, and our hope for the future.

 

This year my news was not so good. Yes, it could have been so much worse, but the simple fact remained, God allowed me to experience a bump in my otherwise smooth road and I found that I had choices to make. Fear was a possibility, but not a healthy option. Anger was also something to briefly consider, but was not in my best interest. Throwing a pity-party for myself and inviting all those around me to attend was also something to be considered. But the time and energy necessary for that would use up all my time and I would miss sitting with Jesus and hearing his words of comfort and feeling his love. I chose to sing in the rain and dance in the storm! My dancing partner is none other than Jesus and what a wonderful partner he has been over the past weeks.

 

The beautiful thing about Jesus is when we regularly spend time with him we are already comfortable in his presence. We are accustomed to him leading, so now having him lead in and through the storm is not unfamiliar to a follower of Jesus Christ. We have already learned to sing with him in the rain and now the storm is the perfect place for dancing.

 

I love this imagery of dancing because I find that I am never alone. It is in the storm of life that he may seem closer than ever before. This is a dance to savor. I am reminded that my partner is to be trusted because he leads joyfully in love with heavenly rhythm, precision, and accuracy. Draw near to him in the dance and he will whisper sweet promises in your ear that will assure you of his sovereignty, and his unchanging and everlasting love.

 

I for one want to sing the praises of my partner. It was in the weeks prior to my diagnosis that it seemed to me that God was preparing me for an opportunity to trust him. After my diagnosis he surrounded me with my wonderful husband, my children, other family members, and friends who became his messengers of love. It seemed that God really prepared the way as I discovered wonderful doctors and others who touched me in unexpected ways. I must admit I do not take help from others very well. I have always been on the giving end not the receiving end. But oh the joy I would have missed if God had not allowed me to experience this bump in my road. Prayers, cards, flowers, gifts, meals, encouragement, phone calls, e-mails, and tender touches that all said I love you and I care. Please know that if you are in a new place of loss, Jesus loves you too.

 

At the onset of my breast cancer walk God gave me a verse of encouragement to carry me through this time when life has slowed me down a bit. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt,” Jeremiah 31:3-4 NIV Even though those words were written for Israel, I believe God spoke those same words to me as well.  It turns out that my prognosis is extremely good, but there were times early on when I was not sure and decisions had to be made. It was a scary time and it was not convenient, BUT God was with me. He continues to be with me, and he will be with me always. I know that in this situation God walked before me. He prepared the way even before I knew what was ahead. He continues to stand with me and surrounds me with his people.

 

At this time it seems that things will be ending well, but I know that there will come a time when my earthly life will be over. That is why when things are going well I need to take heed and stock up on God’s Word. I need to meet with Jesus daily in a quiet place. I need to trust God with my life everyday. I need to remember how wonderful it is to sing with Jesus in the sunshine and in the rain. I need to store up all his promises. I need to do all these things so when the next test comes I will choose to cling to his promises and dance with Jesus in the storm.

 

I hope I will always remember to never underestimate the severity of whatever it is I am going through because it is my crisis and there are hard choices to be made. I also want to remember to never overestimate how difficult I think my circumstance is because I don’t have to look very far to see others who are suffering more. When I am vulnerable I must simply lean into the arms of Jesus and yes, try to find joy in the dance and always practice gratitude even in my moments of greatest need. I know that Satan preys on the weak and the strong. His mind games are the greatest battle I will ever face. I must remember to rebuke him out loud in the name of Jesus Christ and he will flee.

 

Life is always going to be far from perfect. I want to praise the One who holds my future and allows me to sing with him in the rain and dance with him in the storm!

 

Questions:

1. Are you going through a time of testing?
2. Is the storm in your life about to get you down?
3. Are you afraid?
4. Do you see that you always have a choice to either dance in the storm or let the waves of fear and anger destroy you?
5. Do you receive strength and joy knowing that Jesus is your dancing partner in the midst of your storm?
6. Can you remember a time in the past when Jesus sang with you in the sunshine and in the rain?
7. Does that give you courage for dancing in the storm now?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

 

Today I just want to praise you because of your greatness. You are high and lifted up above all others. You are acquainted with pain, sorrow, loss, and grief. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made and you know every cell in my body. I praise you because you provide amazing promises for me to cling to every day and in my darkest night. I praise you because underneath me are your everlasting, loving arms. I praise you because you love me enough to trust me with an opportunity to trust you. I praise you because you send your heavenly and earthly angels to do your work in my behalf. I praise you because down the road things may not go so well, but because of my current experience I will know of your amazing love that will carry me even when things turn out to be less than what I had hoped for. I praise you because this world in not my final home. I praise you because my hope for my future is firmly rooted in heaven. Yes, Jesus, I praise you!

 

It is in your name I pray. Amen.

Trials Are Three Dimensional

“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

Psalm 30:1b NIV

Today I am realizing that often I see my trial in only one dimension. I see it from a self-centered vantage point. What is this doing to me? What is this costing me? Why is this happening to me? Why did this have to happen? What is God trying to teach me? When will I stop suffering? Sometimes I am so busy suffering that I fail to realize that others who are close to me are suffering too.

God I know that you also have a part in my suffering. God you are loving and compassionate. When your children hurt you also hurt. You are sad because we are so sad. Today I am remembering that some of Jesus’ dearest friends were Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. Jesus had been in their home many times. They had talked, eaten together, and Mary had worshiped Jesus by anointing his feet with a costly perfume.

Then one day Lazarus became ill. Jesus was not in Bethany, so Mary and Martha sent word for Jesus to come and heal Lazarus. The message was, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Lazarus’ sisters had complete faith that Jesus was able to heal their brother, who they deeply loved. But to the disciples surprise and Mary and Martha’s shock, after Jesus received the news about Lazarus being sick he deliberately delayed his journey to Bethany two more days!

The truth was that Jesus could have healed Lazarus from afar just as he did the centurion’s servant. Luke 7:1-10 But instead Jesus chose to delay going to Lazarus. It was a delay of love. Jesus knew that healing Lazarus would be wonderful but he also knew that raising him from the dead would be glorious! And so Jesus waited. Mary and Martha waited. Lazarus waited and then he died waiting!

In John 11:11 Jesus is speaking to his disciples regarding Lazarus. Jesus referred to Lazarus their friend. Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” Jesus was speaking of death, not sleep. When Jesus arrived Mary and Martha greeted him and reported that he was too late. Lazarus had died. Then the sisters begin to convey to Jesus in no uncertain terms their disappointment. Mary and Martha perceived that Jesus had failed them. The sisters were grieved to the point of tears that Jesus hadn’t bothered to show up in a timely manner and because of that fact, Lazarus had died. John records that Jesus then went to Lazarus and was deeply moved in spirit and troubled and in verse 35 John records that, “Jesus wept.” Plain and simple Jesus cried, not because Lazarus had died. Jesus wept because his friends Mary and Martha were hurting and grieving. Jesus wept because he had compassion. But then Jesus wiped away his personal tears because it was now time for him to shine. He was about to do what he came to do. It was show time! It was glorification of the Father time! Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” and he did.

Our trials are three dimensional. Of course, our trial involves us. Secondly, our trial involves others who care about us. Thirdly, our trail always involves our loving Heavenly Father. I think it is important for us to learn that we are not alone in our trials and suffering. We may feel that God is far away but in reality he is as close as the air we breathe and he weeps when we weep. His sweet Spirit resides inside of those who belong to him and he stands ready and able to help us in our time of need.

I must also remember that my trials work for my good. My trials are a beautiful sign of God’s love because he can use my sorrow and brokenness to create something beautiful in my life. It is through brokenness that God develop godly character within me. My trials offer a unique opportunity for God to orchestrate amazing things in my life. My personal desire is always for a favorable outcome to my problems, but a happy ending is not the issue; the issue is my surrender to God’s Sovereignty, his purposes, and his glorification.

God also uses my trials to accomplish his purposes. I have noticed that at the end of any trial God’s glory is the cherry on my sundae, it is the icing on my cake, it is the exact moment when I can finally surrender my will to God’s will the burden is lifted and I can now celebrate. I do not celebrate the sorrow but I do celebrate the fact that I have placed my sorrow in God’s capable hands. It is a holy moment when God shows up in all of his power and glory and my life is changed. My circumstances may remain but my wrong assumptions and bad attitudes are smashed, my anger melts, my fear is gone, and my chains of self pity and personal disappointment fall off.

After great loss, grieving is necessary for God to bring healing into our lives. During grief God is always near even when we cannot feel him. Slowly, we begin to feel God’s comfort as we move away from the tragedy. I don’t believe that God expects us to be able to be thankful for the tragedy that has left a hole in our heart, but I do believe that he wants us to eventually position ourselves so that we can give thanks for what we are becoming as a result of our personal loss. God always wants to fill the gaping holes in our life with himself and the end result is always his glorification and our healing.

When we are finally able to openly express genuine gratitude for God’s faithfulness to us during our trial God is glorified! It seems that God mysteriously allows others to recognize any positive attitudes in our life that speak of God’s love, goodness, and faithfulness. Often others make silent observations that are hidden from our eyes and ears. We may never be aware that another person has taken note of the way we are responding to God. Unbeknown to us, when our words bless God then he is glorified and his purposes are accomplished in the hearts of others.

Oh that I could embrace this truth at the onset of every trial. How wonderful it would be if I could understand this so well that I did not become angry, argue, and try to bargain with my Heavenly Father. How I wish that I would never spend a single day in the cellar of self-pity and depression. Oh that I would not panic but rather get totally alone with Jesus and stay there until I hear his voice. Lastly, to be able to quote in perfect surrender, the words of Jesus, “Father, not my will but your will be done.” But for me it is usually a process as I work through my brokenness and loss.

Today I can’t help but realize that God has a very huge part in all of my trials. I know that my trials affect me in a very up close and personal way. They cause me sadness, they leave me lonely, they create fear within me, and they often cause me both physical and emotional pain and suffering. But God’s Word says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV

So when does the suffering end? When is the heartache over? When does God show up on my behalf? God does not show up, he is already there. We are the ones who must show up. We must join him in our suffering. We must allow him to minister to us and begin the healing process. God’s glory shines when all of his purposes are fulfilled. Sometimes I find that I must wait for God’s purpose to be fulfilled in the life of the one I love. In marriage, two have become one, so sometimes I must wait on my mate and he must wait on me. I suffer when my children experience trials, but I must wait for their obedience to God.

Others are always watching and they gain strength when they see we are trusting in the sovereignty of God. When all of God’s purposes are in place and all things are ready, then God shows up at another location and puts on a spectacular display of his heavenly glory. We may perceive that God is late in coming to our aid but God is never even one second late in delivering his glory! Our joy is especially sweet when we come to the end of a very long and dark tunnel. When we experience an answer to a long awaited answerer to prayer the answer is indescribably joyous! “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. “Psalm 30:1b NIV

I must remember that God’s glory is not contingent upon my happiness. Sometimes things do not turn out as I had hoped. Other times I couldn’t be happier! Answers that make me happy are indeed reasons for celebration. But the truth is I must be able to agree with Job and say, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:21b NIV

Questions:

1. Does today find you in the middle of a trial?

2. Have you considered that you are not alone in you suffering?

3. Do you become frustrated as you wait for God to deliver you from your trial?

4. Have you considered that perhaps all God’s purposes have not yet been fulfilled?

5. Are you ready to trust God regardless of the outcome?

6. Have you ever witnessed God’s glory at the end of a long trial?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Today I am suffering because of ______________. I now know that it is important for me to consider that others may be suffering as well. I see that just as you were with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, you are also with me. It leaves me speechless when I realize that you weep with me. I confess that from my perspective here on earth I sometimes see death as the worst case scenario, when in fact; it is the beginning of an everlasting life of joy for those who belong to you. I thank you Jesus that my trials are not for punishment or to teach me to shape up! You said that trials would be a very real part of this life. Jesus, help me to remember that Satan is always ready to attack me and convince me that you have forsaken me. I pray that I would fix my eyes on you. Help me to know that what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal. God I confess that I am weak but I know that you Lord are strong. I pray that you would empower me with your words and your grace so that I can say with Job, blessed be the name of the Lord. God it helps me to know that I do not stand alone in my suffering. I thank you for family and friends that stand close by to listen and comfort me. Jesus, I absolutely love that you, are the third dimension in my suffering. Last but never least, Jesus, you are my comfort, my peace, my joy, and my hope. Thank you for weeping with me during these difficult days.

It is in your name I pray. Amen