Seeing the Bigger Picture

Romans 8:26-30

My son has recently been learning to use markers. Sounds silly, but there is a lot of responsibility that comes with this privilege. He has to learn to take the lid off, that we only color on paper, and that he must put the lids back on when he’s done or else the markers will dry out. When he misuses the markers or colors on something he shouldn’t, the markers get put away for that day. As a two year old, taking the markers away is the most offensive and upsetting thing I could do. Most of the time, there are plenty of tears and protests, but as his mom I know that my momentary discipline is teaching him the proper way to use this tool. He can’t see the bigger picture, he can only see his momentary frustration.

I believe this is the same way we interact with God. Verse  28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,” but how often do we attach our own expectations onto what that looks like? “Good” doesn’t promise happiness or ease or convenience. “Good” is referring to His purpose being fulfilled. “All things” isn’t just the isolated circumstances in our lives, but whatever befall us in this life, we can trust that He is using that for His purpose. In all God does He is intentional, even His purpose for the whole world was intentional. Our lives, what we go through, where we will go when we die, none of these things were an afterthought to God, but they were all carefully and intentionally woven together. God so desires to be with us, that He even sent us His helper, the Holy Spirit, to speak when we cannot, move when we are still and draw us nearer to the Lord. The Spirit enables us to be in constant communion with the Lord, it’s the guarantee of our salvation. 

We will face troubles in this world, but cling to this: the God of the universe is working all things for the good of those who love Him. And how can we trust that? Because He has given us His spirit as a guide and a guarantee that we belong to Him.