Meeting 6/27/20
Phil. 1:12-14
"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear."
God is the Master of making sweet lemonade out of our sour lemons. He used Paul's imprisonment to plant seeds in those around him for their salvation, plus emboldened other believers around the world to confidently proclaim the gospel without fear. Amazing. He is so good at what He does. Hallelujah. It's humbling to become aware of the good that He brings out of tough situations. At the time my oldest daughter dislocated her shoulder doing handstands, that freak accident caused bewilderment and discouragement. What we couldn't foresee was that the injury would lead her to a very special group of folks at an orthopedic physical therapy office that inspired her to pursue that field. She said she feels led by the Lord and it makes her heart come alive when she job shadows her physical therapist. Ah, He is so good.
Do you have similar experiences? Have you been able to look back in hindsight and see the mysterious blessings of the Lord after difficulty or hardship? Would you have never met that person? Would that thing never have happened? Would you never have relocated or moved on? He is in the business of doing much, much more than we can ask, imagine or comprehend.
So, what are we to do? We need to believe, friends. It's time. It's time to release worry, fear, doubt, negativity, and cynicism. It's time to believe in God's goodness and His perfectly beautiful sovereignty. It's time to trust His timing. He has a good plan for our lives. He wants to bless us. He wants us to be conformed into the image of His Son. He wants us in heaven with Him. He wants to tell the world of His amazing love through us. He wants us to be His witnesses and ambassadors. Believe, even when things get tough. Look for Him to move and act on your behalf. Look for Jesus and positivity, not the negative ghosts that the disciples were afraid they might be seeing on the stormy waters that night.
Even today, that same daughter of mine had a defining moment in her life. She had succumbed to an unreasonable and illogical fear. She was reeling and spinning into despair and discouragement. I was afforded the opportunity to remind her of the fact that she can be nervous about something, but still go through with it, even unto having success. Immediately afterward, she received an invitation from a boy she has been interested in for some time. She became extremely nervous, but was hilarious about it. She followed through, having faith, even in the face of fear. Of course, Papa and Mama prayed, and you know what? God blessed her with a positive experience. She will never forget how today unfolded and how she discovered that God can turn disappointments around into something amazingly good and teach a giant truth at the same time. He can also strengthen you to push forward, even when you are nervous or scared. Believe, folks. Believe, even if it is a long time in coming. Wait on the Lord. Be strong and wait on the Lord. Renew your strength. Stand on His promises and truths. Hang in there. He is good. He is faithful. He is for you. He loves you. Trust Him.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Num. 6:24-26. Amen.
