Romans 8:28-30 (NIV):
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.
For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
*** Pronoun's were capitalized when they reference God.
God works ALL things for the good of those who love Him.
I know that I love Him.
However, it can be hard to believe that ALL things work for my good.
I have asked God for a career path for months. For the doors to open.
Doors that pay substantial student loan debt. Doors that I was created to walk through. Doors that I truely loved.
Many times, those doors feel so far away.
The opportunities that did appear, really seemed to be distractions, or required settling on less than ideal.
These opportunities were like going on a second date with an individual you know was not going to help you grow stronger in the LORD. Like going to McDonalds, when what you really craved was Steak & Salmon. The McDonalds would be a quick-fix, a temporary solution to the bigger problem. However, most of the food at McDonalds isn't truely nourshing for the body, the spirit or the mind.
In fact, just a few days ago, I vacuumed up an old french fry from the back of my wife's Jeep that didn't have the slightest speck of mold or indication it was old . . .
That is not the kind of food meant by God for our bodies.
Not the kind of food that heals.
Psalm 126
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
'The LORD has done great things for them.'
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat–for He*** grants sleep to those He loves.
***God’s Pronouns have been capitalized.
Patience. Patience to me, is having the knowledge to know that rushing can lead to wasted effort. I spent so much of my twenties, wasting my efforts on projects that went nowhere. Experience that I can’t prove. Jobs that don’t exist anymore.
Yet, I remember in many of those scenarios, believing that God was the one that brought me to those opportunities. That they were blessings from God. At least at first it felt like that.
However, in almost all of those scenarios, I got distracted from a task that God was actually calling me towards.
I went left when I should have kept my eyes, focused on the path straight ahead. God help me keep my eyes focused on the straight & narrow path. The path that YOU have for me. NOT ANY OTHER PATH!
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