I think we can all agree we do not know what life holds for us. Some good
and some bad will happen for us all. There is so much of life we can not
control like who our parents are, the country we are born in, the other driver,
the bully, when it rains, a blood test result, or winning a car. Chance defined
is the absence of any cause that can be predicted, understood, or controlled, it
is an event not planned or expected. Living a life soley on chance would be
scary but those that do not know Jesus live this way, day after day relying only
on good fortune and the endless attempt to avoid bad luck. But inherent to chance, fortune and luck is moving
forward with no assured design, strategy or goal.
This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as time is over and not a
day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back
home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of
you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah
29:11 (The Message)
We do not have to know what tomorrow holds but we can relax to know that,
as believers, we depend on God. He cheers us on, carries us when needed, and
cries with us when it hurts. But He
never leaves us and He has already won the victory in every area of our life that
lies ahead of us.
“So what should you do?
Go about your business without fretting or worrying about what is to come.
Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.”
Daniel 12:13 (The Message)
Business – what is our business? If He’s got this, what can we possibly do
to help? The truth is He wants us involved.
He needs us to do our part in helping save other of his children from
the enemy. He has won the ultimate victory over death, so now its time to rescue
as many of our family as we can. But
living on this earth in today’s world means we also have to work, eat, pay
bills, and relate to others. We can be responisble in our everyday lives and we
can be kind to others. Living to please others, endlessly indulging in fleeting
pleasures and worrying about money – that takes up precious time and resources
God wants to use for better purposes.
If you think back through your life you can probably
find those defining moments that have made you who you are today. Good and bad, God uses them all for His
glory. What we see as trouble He sees and uses as an opportunity. If we live
looking for God’s guidance and working on the purposes He has in mind these
routine things of today and tomorrow will fall into to place. That’s not to say we won’t endure pain, face
hard times or struggles – we will - but
they will not over take us.
This
is God’s promise we can hold on to no matter what is to come.
“But now the Lord who
created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I
have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and
great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not
be burned up—the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1-2 (Living Bible)
Now … Click here to see
the inspirational story of an athlete, her coach, and her team. In a single
moment of pain and what seemed like sure failure ended up being a moment of
victory no one could have planned or imagined. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZRYiOa5lM8&feature=player_embedded
**
Lord, bring to my attention when I am living stuck in worry. Remind me of who
you are and how much I can trust you when I am looking back or too far ahead
instead of looking for you. I want the life you have planned – no matter what.
I love you and welcome your coaching and direction. Thank you for being there when I struggle
with today’s grey sky and fear tomorrow’s chance for worse. **
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