Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."
Recently, I had an interesting conversation with an old friend from Moody. We had not seen each other for a few years, so we caught up on what has been happening in our lives. I shared with her everything from Wayne's cancer, to our adoption, move, and the recent developments with our children. I confessed to her that I had struggled many times with what God had allowed in our lives. I told her I've wrestled with God about allowing the difficult road of mental health with our son. I explained that I felt betrayed by God at times since we obeyed Him and then He allowed this difficult situation to happen. I told her, "I just wonder why God couldn't throw me a softball. I mean we stepped out in faith and adopted with an unknown future with Wayne's health, and now this difficult thing has happened. It just feels like so much." After I spoke those words, she said something that has forever changed my perspective. She replied back, "Maybe Wayne still being here with you is God's softball to you."
Wow! Those words struck a chord in my heart. Here I had been focusing on the wrong thing all along. I was focused on the negative of my situation, dealing with mental health and other issues that have arisen with our son. In that one moment, my perspective changed. I always knew that God was faithful and was walking by our side through all of this, but I had never stopped to think that God's answer to my plea was leaving Wayne here with me to help me get through this difficult journey. God knew exactly how difficult this road would be and He gave me my helpmate to walk along my side.
I started further reflecting on this truth in other areas of my life. God, are there other areas that I have been focusing on the wrong thing? It reminded me of Corrie ten Boom's "Life is but a Weaving". God is weaving a beautiful story in my life and sometimes all I see is the underside with all the knots and strings looking crazy, but God is up above and He sees the beautiful tapestry He is weaving. I just have to remember that God has a different perspective then me and He is writing a story with my life that will bring Him the most glory and will transform me into the woman He wants me to be.
Life is but a Weaving
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft' times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
-Corrie ten Boom
The question I face daily is will I surrender to God's plans or will I try to do it my way? I want to walk through life with a change of perspective...to ask God to see things with His eyes.
I think a change of perspective is in order in the church in America. I think that we need to realign our allegiance to God first because this earth is not our home. For too long we have put our hope in our country and not put our hope in God. Sure, we may say that we put our hope in God, but if we really believe God to be God, are we living like we believe that truth? If we say God is sovereign, that He is the one who establishes leaders and brings them down (Romans 13), then isn't the result of any election within His plan? God has been trying to get our attention for years and change our perspective in this life. Satan desires nothing else than to destroy God's plan of salvation and bring destruction to as many people as he can. If he keeps the church busy fighting with each other over politics and non-critical theology issues, he is keeping us from being a light to the world and sharing the gospel. If he keeps us busy pursuing the things of this world, we lose focus on what truly matters and fail to share the love of Jesus with others.
I know that God showed me some areas that I need a change of perspective. Maybe God is revealing something in your life that needs to be addressed too. May we fully surrender and trust our Sovereign God who holds the past, present, and future in His hands. To quote Corrie ten Boom again, "Never be afraid to trust and unknown future to a known God." If we know Jesus as our Savior, we can rest in His plan for our lives. We may not understand this side of heaven why He allows things in our lives, but it doesn't change the fact that He is in control and has our best interest at heart. I know that I am going to ponder and meditate on that truth this week. In the midst of this world that is full of turmoil, I'm glad that I can trust a Sovereign God to guide me each step.