"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son."
Last night was our monthly Bunko get together with PINK DICE and all. I just love my Bunko girls...we have the best time when we're together and, oh my gosh, do we LAUGH! They are all such a great group of Godly women and we love each other and I know that I can depend on them for anything and they can depend on me for anything. I know this because we have already been thru a lot together as a group. When I started having concerns about where God wanted me I went to them. I told them the feelings I was having and believe me it wasn't pretty. I don't like being confused and I don't like being in a position where I have to choose to do something I'm not sure I'm ready to do. Especially when it involves my friends and family. But I knew that what I do in my life is for God only. What I opened up to them about affected them and they weren't sure about what I was saying but they supported me anyway. Yes, they love me but that doesn't mean that we will always be heading in the same directions. It doesn't even mean that we have to agree on everything. I just don't want to do anything to hinder our friendships. Talking and bringing up what is already done and over is just not worth losing them. My mind tends to take a backseat to my mouth and then God has to bring out his spiritual 2x4 and remind me of why I do what I do on this earth. To please Him...it can only be for Him. I know that what I do for HIM is done according to His will. And I know that all things will work together for our good. He knew before I was even born that I would have the trials I've had in my life but He knew that I would come out of them shining and happier than ever. Like now. I've never been happier to be where I am, have the family I have, have the friends I have, and serve the Lord I serve.
Romans 8:28-29 was our devotion last night and Denise had no idea that when she chose this she would actually be speaking about this subject....what we've been through together for the past few months. I was so worried about hurting someone...and I know some were worried about hurting me. This verse doesn't mean that BECAUSE you're a Christian everything is going to work out and nothing bad will happen to you. God made us in His image and if we don't do what He wants us to do He WILL let us know. That's when the spiritual 2x4 comes out. I've been hit with that more than a few times. And when I mess up or when something bad happens He uses that for our good. How would He mold us if nothing bad happened in our lives...if we didn't have trials? How would we seek Him and depend on Him? How would His glory show if we didn't go through what we do on this earth?
Rick Warren says in The Purpose Driven Life, "This is one of the most misquoted and misunderstood passages in the Bible. It doesn't say, 'God causes everything to work out the way I want it to.' Obviously that's not true. It also doesn't say, 'God causes everything to work out to have a happy ending on earth.' That is not true either. There are many unhappy endings on earth." He goes on to explain, in detail, phrase by phrase. "We know" ....is based on the truths that God is in complete control...and that He loves us. "that God causes" ...that He has the master plan. We make mistakes, but God doesn't and canNOT because He is God. "everything" ...His plan involves ALL that happens to you--including your mistakes, yours sins, and your hurts. Illness, debt, disasters, divorce, death of loved ones. But HE can bring the good out of evil. He did at Calvary. "to work together" ...the events in your life work TOGETHER in God's plan. They are not isolated acts, but independant parts of the process to make you like Christ. ...give God all your distasteful experiences and He will blend them together for good. "for the good" ...not everything in life is good..much is evil and bad, but God specializes in bringing good out of it. God's purpose is greater than our problems, our pain, and even our sin. "of those who love God and are called" ...this promise is only for God's children. All things will work for BAD for those living in opposition to God and insist on having their own way. "according to his purpose" ..that purpose is that we "become like His Son." Everything God allows to happen in our lives is permitted for that purpose.
There have been things in my life that have happened that I know have made me what I am today....things that I would never wish on anyone. I wouldn't take them back for anything because I KNOW that the bad and the evil that was in my life was for good. Makes you look at life in a whole different way, doesn't it?
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