Sometimes I feel so old (age is relative -- to some 52 years is ancient; to others I am a mere pup).
I want to share with you something that really has been speaking to my heart since Sunday. Shannon talked about looking at ourselves and others through the Father's eyes. If you want to read the notes or watch the sermon click right here. What hit me was that everything that happens in our lives, whether good or bad, is for our best.
I know you know Romans 8:28. It says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
But this thought about everything happening for our best goes even farther (at least it feels that way to me). God will not allow anything in my life to separate me from Him (in fact, Paul says this later in Romans 8:35-39). So, whatever comes my way, if I rely on God; if I lean on Him; if I totally surrender to His ways; everything that comes into my life can bring me closer to God if I allow it. The best thing for me and for you is to be as close to God as we can. That is where the abundant life is.
If we can grasp that everything that happens is for our best we can also grasp a total trust in Father God and His ways and what He has for us. And if we have this complete trust no longer do we need to stress or worry or fret. He will carry us through.
This is a simple truth and yet so profound.
It is exactly what Jesus said we needed -- the faith of a child.
"And (Jesus) called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, 'Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 18:2-3
"'Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.'" Mark 10:14b-15