God Works Everything Out

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

(Romans 8:28)

God has had my back most of my adult life – check that – most of my life, including my childhood. He has protected me from all the stupid and dangerous things young people do, and I did my share of stupid. I thought I was just real lucky when I lived through some of the things that could have killed me. God, I believe, was keeping me safe until I realized I needed Jesus and submitted my life to him. I didn’t realize it at the time, but God was preparing me to labor for his purpose.

I wasn’t saved until I was in my mid-forties, and it was hard at first to trust that everything happening would turn out for my good. I was in the midst of a marriage I couldn’t hold together and finally crumbled apart. I was disabled from a back injury and couldn’t work. To say money was tight is the ultimate understatement. I’d always relied on my own brains and brawn to solve my problems. These were things I thought were going to be the death of me, and they would have been if it weren’t for Jesus taking charge and changing my life. I had to learn to trust him for everything.

Many years later, I asked God to bring a godly woman into my life. I thought it took him a long time, but my timing is not God’s timing. It really only took two years, but God’s timing was perfect, and he gave me a beautiful wife. During that time and the few years before, God was transforming me into the man she would love. God also lead me to a church with people who love him with all their hearts. They patiently helped sharpen my knowledge of scripture and bolstered my faith. It was about that time that I started to see what God’s purpose was in my life.

My life hasn’t been without it’s challenges since then, but it’s been orders of magnitude better than worse. I trust now, no matter what happens, God’s in control and everything will be okay, eventually. I love the Lord with all my heart and I’m grateful to him for what he’s done for me. He’s carried me through my youthful mistakes. He picked me up when I was at my lowest point in life and gave me a new heart, a new life, and a new purpose. I will forever follow my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and keep my focus on him.

Father, you are an awesome and great God. We love you because you first loved us. We thank you, Lord for the plan you have for our lives and for the Holy Spirit to help us on that path. You are always here with us, in both our trials and our victories. Lord, our struggles are tough because we can’t see the outcome you see. We ask you, dear Lord, to strengthen us while we’re in those valleys so that we can give you the glory from the mountaintops. Help us to always keep our trust in you, no matter the challenges we’re facing, that you know what’s best for us. Even though we don’t always understand the journey, we always want to be about your business, doing the work of the kingdom. No matter where you lead us, your message of the good news should be first on our lips, given in love for the lost. Of course, Lord, we thank you for the assurance of our final destination, paid for by the blood of your Son, Jesus. It’s in his name we pray. Amen!