Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of this Good
News about Christ. It is God’s powerful method of bringing all who
believe it to heaven. This message was preached first to the Jews alone,
but now everyone is invited to come to God in this same way. This Good
News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven—makes us right in God’s
sight—when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is
accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says it,
“The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
A dear friend of mined
recently posed two questions on Facebook that were intended to spark a
conversation…”When it's all said and done...what is the meaning of life?
What is the purpose of living?” One person replied…”One of my
questions is…why is Jesus delaying his return? This world is a big
mess.” This is a valid question. And I believe we find at least part
of the answer in this passage from the first chapter of Romans.
In
my opinion, our job is not to question why Jesus is taking so long…or
even why “bad things happen to good people”. Will the answers really
make us feel any better or change what is happening? I believe the more
important question to ask is, “What would You have me do with this,
LORD?”…and then we must trust His answer.
I know people who have
endured unspeakable challenges…and done so without complaining. They
have exhibited amazing calm and peace…incredible grace and courage.
They have trusted God…and He has sustained them. I’ve even heard others
ask of them, “How can you be so calm and collected?” Let me assure
you, these people may be crushed on the inside. They may be hurting
deeply - and crying out to God for His wisdom and comfort when no one
else is around. But they are also trusting God to answer. And they are
finding life – and its true meaning – in the process. My answer to my
friend’s question would have to be, at least in part, that we are living
to love and serve Christ…to further God’s kingdom and fulfill His plans
– and this includes any and all “bumps in the road”.
We need
look no further than the life of Jesus Christ…His torture, crucifixion,
death and resurrection…to see that “bad things happen” to even the most
Perfect One. So this cannot be our crutch or excuse. Clearly our faith
in God sustains us – and makes us right with Him. I’m ready to go “full
in” with God – to trust Him completely. I’ve seen evidence in my own
life of how He is always with me…how God handles EVERYTHING when I calm
down and let Him have control.
I am learning to find joy, peace
and contentment in any situation through my faith and trust in God. I
know that He is “making ready” my place in Heaven…and my job is to
patiently and faithfully serve Him on this earth until He calls for me.
What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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