*And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called a**ccording to his purpose.*For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, ~ Romans 8:28-29
Paul is writing to the church in Rome. He has not yet been there. But the plan was to eventually not just visit Rome but to set up a base of operation there and continue the westward move of the gospel. In Romans Paul is laying out the truths of the gospel. He is unpacking the doctrine sin, justification, redemption, and the list goes on. Romans 8 is something of a transition in Paul's thought. He opens the chapter with, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death..."
In Romans 8 he continues and then tells his readers in verse 28-29 that God has this ability, when he is given opportunity, to take the lives surrendered to him and do a work through them and with them and for them. It takes time. It takes opportunity. It takes patience.
I am currently reading a book entitled, An Invitation to Solitude and Silence. At one point the author describes the Christian life as that game we played as children called Musical Chairs. In case you don't remember the game; it begins with a number of students standing in a circle around a group of chairs. There is one less chair than there are students. The music begins and the children circle the chairs. When the music stops the students with hearts pounding and palms sweaty find a chair to sit in. All but one get a chair. One child gets left out.
The author of the book uses this child's game as a metaphor for life. She describes this as life. You are going through life and the music stops and you have to find a seat somewhere anywhere. You sit right where you are. You are just looking for a seat to sit in, not really caring which chair it is. You just need to be seated. Fortunately you find one, but it is not really the seat you planned on but there you are. You could be seated with delight and triumph, since you got a seat, or it could be that one student left out. And you stand there in sadness and tears because yet again you are on the outside looking in.
Romans 8:28 tells us that we meet God in our triumphs and in our tears. We meet Him in those unnerving, and unhappy moments of life because he promises to be there. No matter where you may be sitting or standing, his promise is to be there for us. It is hard because life on life's terms can be overwhelming. We are not in control of the events of life. However, we are in control of our attitude about life and through life. It is easy, oh so easy to become bitter about the stuff that happens to us. Because it rarely goes as planned. But there is an option available to us: we can become bitter about life or we can become better about life. One little vowel says it all. The vowel, "I". It is all in how I choose to handle it. How I choose to understand it. How I choose to allow it to shape and change me. And it can change us deep In our souls. Right there, deep down where we store the memories of the past. Memories that shape our futures. And yet it is there that the Word of God speaks. It cuts through the darkness of heartache, and abandonment and brings us hope and healing. The choice is ours. The work is his.
Oh wait, the music has started again. I have to get up. I have to get a chair.
Lord help me. In Jesus name amen.