Sudden Impact
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 The Message
Not long ago I was driving home from work. My brother called and we began talking about ‘The Faith’. Just as Jerome started to tell me about God's goodness, BAM! A pickup truck hit the side of my car. Don't you think it is ironic to literally be in a conversation about the goodness of God and get sideswiped? But what might be just as ironic is that a few weeks earlier my friend Becky was on her way to church with her daughter. Becky was singing a Christian song and BAM! A deer darted out in front of her. Becky and Jasmine are fine. But the deer destroyed the entire front of Becky’s car.
I think there are times when life gives us an unexpected jolt. There you are, worshiping the Lord and BAM! - Your spouse wants a divorce, or the doctor delivers bad news or we are gripped by any other of life’s afflictions. I think that the sudden and unexpected impact of troubles force us into a choice. Troubles will either push us away from or toward God. On the one hand you may question as to why a believer who is worshiping God should have to face such a severe and sudden impact of trouble. Then you have to remember that we have been warned that will have to face many trials (James 1:6-7).
The hard truth of the matter is that we are supposed to experience trouble. Even though you are doing and saying the right (godly) things, you will have troubles. In fact, if you are doing the will of God you should expect a little more trouble than normal. I do not think that God causes our pain and suffering. But I do know that He will use it to test us and to work patience and maturity in to those that love Him. He may allow the fender benders of life in order to work salvation in to those that trust Him.
As long as I have to suffer, I am thankful that it is at the hands of God. He knows how much I can stand. Even though I may have to suffer, at least I am in the security of his nail scarred hands.
Amen!
ReplyDelete