He Does All Things Well — Not Just Some
Earlier this month, a friend of mine, Sarah Julia posted an interesting photo on Facebook, with a brief meditation. I’ve been struggling with several things recently (which I may share in a later post), but when I read Sarah’s post, I found myself deeply encouraged. I kept going back to reread it.
With her permission, I am sharing it here with you. Content in square brackets is my addition, for clarity. When you read, “here is the remarkable result,” she is referring to the photo accompanying this post.
Thank you, Sarah, for letting me share your encouraging words.
We had pumpkins on our deck last fall, and as they always do, eventually they began to sag and rot. My children put them in an old fire ring behind the garage to compost, and here is the remarkable result. 😊 I’ve never grown such a nice little pumpkin intentionally, but this one volunteered.
Thinking about what Jesus said [in John 12:24] about a seed dying –“Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” I don’t ever want to forget this: that when I die to myself, my own plans, and even my hopes — as good as they may be in themselves — and offer those things up to the Lord in an act of release and surrender, asking Him to do what He will with them, He takes them and makes them something good and beautiful!
“Behold, I make all things new.”
Revelation 21:5
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him.”
Romans 8:28
He doeth all things well. ❤
I don’t know what you are struggling with. For me, it is my heart’s attitude regarding certain circumstances over which I have little control. For you? You can fill in the blanks. But Sarah reminded me that God’s word is true and our circumstances and feelings do not invalidate the faithfulness of God in every situation.
As I write this I am reminded of a song that I heard for the first time in a church in Colorado after Rich had died. That song shook me out of my self-focused depression and made me realize that God truly is good – all the time (link at the end of this post).
As I listen to that song again and think about what Sarah shared on Facebook, I realize, yes… the current situation is not beautiful right now, but in His time it will be.
I remember once, talking with someone about my Jesus. Challenged, he went home and read Isaiah 53. The next day he said to me, “I understand now.”
“You do?” I admit I was surprised because he did not seem very happy. “So what do you think?”
He said, “I understand, but there is a problem, you have to believe, don’t you? It takes faith.”
Yes, I confirmed to him, you need to believe. He shook his head and walked away with a very sad look on his face.
My dear friends, I am writing to myself when I share this with you. Do NOT let the evil one rob you of your faith. Don’t let the circumstances, frustrations, and pain of this life blind you to the hand of God lovingly working in your life despite these situations. Like Joseph, let us together, stand up and declare, “What you (the devil) meant for evil, God intended for good.”
Together, let’s cling to the hope of our Savior and God and cling to His precious promises.
