Life is wrought with some tough and challenging experiences which can leave us with lots of unanswered questions, broken hearts and frustrated faith. Sudden death of loved ones, protracted illnesses, unemployment, repetitive evil family patterns, hunger, lack of money, unanswered prayers, and many others like these can easily get many believers agitated, restless, and even to resort to other mediums for help.
But I believe we can find rest in all these- in whatever we encounter in our Christian journey here on earth before we eventually go to rest with Him. In fact, God actually promises us the availability of this rest in Him (before the rest with Him)- Heb.4:9. This rest comes from two things:
1. finding purpose in whatever happens to us as believers, and
2. comprehending and appreciating the goodness of God in all things at all times.
Nothing happens to the believer by chance, and for nothing. The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord- Ps.37:23-24. The believer walking righteously and in purpose is a treasured possession of God; He’s jealous over him. Both his good and bad experiences are raw materials for God’s glory and his good. Just like we cannot avoid traffic while living in Accra, so can we not be spared of sufferings (bad experiences) while we yet remain here on earth, they are part of our calling- Phil.1:27. And necessary so because, they are also the necessary scenes for the glorious movie God is shooting of our lives.
Jesus, our perfect model and mediator; in fact, the very God Himself, during His short 33years stay on earth, was not spared of these experiences. He suffered betrayal, hunger, excruciating crucifixion, even death. But He saw purpose in all of them, and being excited and encouraged about the ultimate good and result of these experiences, He didn’t bind and cast out, He didn’t pray back to sender; He surrendered, yielded, and received grace to endure these moments
(Heb.12:2-4)
The goodness of God does not only refer to His benevolence; neither does it suggest we can manipulate His power to our selfish benefit. The goodness of God also implies that He can deprive us, deny us, disrupt our plans and desires, permit what we do not expect, disappoint our expectations, all in our best interest, for His glory and our good. Release yourself from the stress today. Give a different and proper view to all the bad and good things you have, and are going through now and later. Find purpose in them; see God’s goodness at work, regardless. Find rest for your soul now and later.
Written by Pastor Gideon Gyasi-Obodai
Pastor, APOSA-UCC
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