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Sunday, May 14, 2006
God's plot in our lives
By Tim R. Alanib
Ambrosia For the Young
FRANK Mihalk wrote: Saints and holy people give God credit for having as much of a plot in their lives as writers do in their books and movies.
Whenever we watch a thriller, or read one, we are not disturbed or upset if everything seems to be going against the hero in the first half the story. We know beforehand that it is all going to turn out alright in the end. The more problems there are in the story, the more hindrances and sufferings, the better the plot is. And, in the end, it all does get solved...
God has as much talent as any writer of hair-raising stories. He knows exactly what He is doing in our lives. He knows exactly why He does things. They all have a good purpose.
A preacher once said that people have always asked WHY when faced with reversal and hardship. Their question is significant because it reflects the fact that nothing happens by chance. God is in control. Neither Satan nor man can go any further than is allowed by the Almighty.
The story of Job, however, makes it clear that we should not become too preoccupied with the question why. God's reasons are often kept to Himself. He may hold them high above our understanding and far beyond our natural field of vision in order to develop our faith. Our response to trouble should be like that of Job at the beginning and at the end of his problems (Job 2:10; 42:1-6).
Obediently trust God in your circumstances - even when you can't understand what He is doing.
"When through life's darkened maze I go and troubles overwhelm my soul, O grant me, Lord, Your grace to know that You are surely in control."
When God conceals His purposes, He consoles with his promises.
Reading friend, consider your spiritual gifts and goals. Do you believe they are from God when they flourish but question them whey they lead to difficulties? Don't be fooled by the fallacy that life will be easy if you obey God. God doesn't remove difficulties; He uses them for your good and for His glory.
"The difficulties in our lives, the obstacles we face, give God the opportunity to show His power and grace."
When the Lord wants to do something great, He begins with the difficult; when He wants to do something even greater, He begins with the impossible.
Hardships? Obstacles in life? Look at this:
There is an old legend of a benevolent king who had his men place a great heavy stone on a certain roadway over which all his subjects would have to travel. He then hid himself to see who would try to remove the stone. No one stopped to try to remove the stone, but all worked their way around it, loudly blaming the king for not keeping the roadway clear. Finally, a poor peasant farmer on his way to town with a load of vegetables, which he hoped to sell in the market place, came to the blocked roadway. He lay down his load and with considerable effort and loses of time managed to move the great stone to the side of the roadway. Then, turning to leave, he spied a purse, which had been under the stone. He opened the purse and found it to be filled with pieces of gold, with a note from the king indicating that it was all to be the property of the one who would remove the stone.
Recently my friend Gigi texted me with this message: "Troubles can overwhelm us, sometimes we just feel like running away from all our problems and you know where is the best hiding place? Right beside God's loving arms."
Lastly, God operates in a perfectly designed timeline. He knows what you need and when to provide it. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desire."
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 14, 2006 issue)
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