The previous post presented the idea that the primary good
that God works out of all things is conforming His children to the image of
Christ. Often God also works some amazing providential good through the
challenges of life, but His more important agenda is that of molding Christian
character. If a believer is looking only for providential life results worked
through unpleasant circumstances, he can easily become frustrated and
disillusioned, even tempted to give up on God. On the other hand, when a
Christian understands the eternal aspect of what God is doing, the important
internal factor in his own heart, and the gradual, life-long process utilized to
achieve these purposes, he can rest at peace even when he fails to see anything
good result from his situation.
In this post, I want to focus on practical application of
the above truth. As an illustration, let us consider a twenty-nine year old
lady who is approaching a much-anticipated wedding. She has trusted God and
remained faithful to Him through years of yearning for marriage and wondering
if it would ever happen. Just as it appears that her heart's desire is about to
be fulfilled, her fiancé calls off the wedding and moves to another state.
How can that incredible disappointment work for good in her
life? Some people might try to console her by suggesting some possible good.
They could theorize that the man might turn to alcoholism and violence in later
years, and that the breakup spared her from that. They might suggest that God stopped
that marriage because He had a different plan - a more suitable man in the
future, parents who unexpectedly need care, or an unanticipated ministry opportunity.
Time might even confirm these or similar positive circumstantial outcomes.
In reality, God is doing something bigger and more
important. He may or may not ever work the outcomes listed above, but what He
can do through the situation is to advance that believer in Christ-likeness. He
can lead the jilted bride to depend more fully on Him. God can use the
situation over the years to work greater contentment and peace in her life as
she willingly walks forward on the path He has chosen for her. He can make her
better prepared to serve Him and to be a testimony for Him.
I realize that this concept has happened in my own life. I
have had several "aha" moments in which I realized the significance
of what God had previously done in my life. I think of (at least) three
specific manifestations: writing my devotional book for the chronically ill,
starting this blog, and volunteering as a chaplain at the hospital. These
ministries were made possible through God's previous arrangement of my life: chronic
illness, unemployment, Bible study, journaling, writing devotionally, a summer
devoted to seeking God, and multiple years of teaching English. These factors
helped to prepare me for the ministry opportunities. In fact, as each of these
three ministries began, I recall thinking, "God has been preparing me for
this throughout my entire life!"
There is a practical level of truth in that; without my
illness, I would not be able to minister as deeply to others. Without my times
of dedication to Bible study, I would not be able to share God's truth as well.
Without the years teaching English, I wouldn't be able to communicate as
effectively. These correspond with the common interpretation of Romans 8:28 -
that God brings good things out of bad things.
There is, however, a deeper level of truth. Those practical
experiences were necessary, but in themselves they were not the most important.
Far more critical is that through the years of illness and Bible study and
teaching, God was gradually working in my heart. He was progressively teaching
and maturing me so that my heart would be better prepared to serve Him.
Realistically, it is not the illness or the unemployment or any of the other
factors that best prepared me to serve God. Rather, I can do what I do for Him
because of what He has done in my heart and character through those things.
In a difficult circumstance, therefore, the question should
not be about what external good God will work out, but instead about how the
circumstance aids in producing greater Christ-likeness. A believer may not be
aware of what particular trait God is trying to work in him, (and it's probably
more than one), but he can be aware of God's ultimate objective of greater maturity.
The circumstance itself might never change into something humanly identified as
good, but a Christian can be at peace and can yield to God more readily when he
understands the good spiritual result toward which God is working.
A believer does not and cannot know what will be required to
bring him to the level of Christ-like maturity that God desires for him. If he
is the least bit honest and insightful, however, he will realize that it will
take a lot of work. Maybe caring for a handicapped child is the only way a
particular believer would ever learn the level of love God desires. Maybe
continued health issues are the only way God can bring a believer to a right
submissive spirit. Perhaps only a troubled marriage will adequately teach
patience, or nothing but a failed ministry would properly teach forgiveness.
Years of singleness or widowhood might be required for the achieving of
contentment. The tools might be "bad," but they produce something
good.
God uses these personally-designed tools to produce the fruit
that He desires in each life. A believer can have confidence that God is using
every circumstance ("all
things") to accomplish meaningful growth in the heart. He can submit
to God's choice of tools when he also desires the intended result; even if he
does not know specifically what God is trying to work in him, he can sincerely
pray in the midst of each difficulty, "Father, help me through this to
more fully reflect Your Son."
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