Romans 8:28–31
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ (v28)
There are two ways to look at our life experience. The one is to see things as happening to us, the other is to take ownership of them and then navigate our way through them. We can identify them as either threats or opportunities. Scripture encourages us to take hold of all our experiences and treat them as an opportunity.
Paul, who pens these words, was no stranger to difficulties and it doesn’t surprise us that his experience may well be ours. Our challenge is in taking ownership of our situation and so turning opposition and disappointment into good. Everything that we encounter can become a touchstone for deepening our encounter with God.
We are called for God’s purpose on earth, and it is up to us the degree to which we own and embrace that calling. This is testing for us, for by comparison with what we had before, or in contrast with someone else’s experience, it can seem as though we are hard done by. This of course brings God’s reputation into consideration.
Is His promise that everything works towards the ultimate realisation of excellence sufficient to enable us to own our mortal experiences and still give thanks to God? It goes to the very heart of our surrender to Jesus and the confidence we have in God’s commitment never to fail or forsake us. It demands a counterintuitive approach, and reflects a world turned upside down (Acts 17:6, KJV). Can we own an inverted perspective?
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER:
Gen. 50:15–21; Zech. 13:7–9; 2 Cor. 4:7–18, 11:16–33.
AN ACTION TO TAKE:
How well are you able to embrace setbacks in your life and still hold on to God?
A PRAYER TO MAKE:
‘Lord, help me to take ownership of each circumstance in my life and
to hold fast to You whilst I am caught up in the storm. Amen.’
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